Coco Gauff lost to Barbora Krejcikova in her Round Robin finale at the WTA Finals and finished second in Orange Group, while Iga Swiatek is set to pack her bags and go home.
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Earlier today, the Pole dismantled alternate Daria Kasatkina to get to a 2-1 record in the group. But to reach the semifinal, the five-time Grand Slam winner needed the American to beat the Czech.
Unfortunately for Swiatek, it didn't happen after Krejcikova impressively saved 11 of 12 break points she faced to overcome Gauff 7-5 6-4 in an hour and 42 minutes of play.
Although the 2023 US Open champion had a 2-0 record and a booked semifinal place, she still had something to play for - she needed to win at least one set to ensure the top position in the group. But after losing in straight sets, the 20-year-old fell to No. 2 spot and will meet Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinal while the 13th-ranked Czech is due to face Zheng Qinwen for a place in the final.
How Krejcikova beat Gauff?
After earning the first break in the fifth game, the reigning Wimbledon champion didn't manage to serve out for the opener in the 10th game. However, she didn't panic - broke the world No. 3 again in the 11th game - and calmly saved four break points in the 12th game to close out the first set.
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Early in the second set, Krejcikova saved two break points in the second game before taking Gauff's serve in the ninth game to go 5-4 up. With the Czech serving for the match, the American had four break points - just like in the 12th game of the first set - but she again missed out on all of her chances and paid the ultimate price.
It would definitely be amazing to get through and to keep playing more matches. So I will do everything in the match to get there," Krejcikova said before the match when addressing the prospect of making her first semifinal at the WTA Finals.
