Coco Gauff secures WTA Finals title in thriller over Zheng Qinwen
Coco Gauff has won the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Finals in Riyadh on Saturday, defeating Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (2) to cap off a brilliant week of tennis from the 20-year-old.
The match was the longest WTA Finals championship match since 2011, and the second-longest of any final on the WTA Tour this year.
Both women brought an exceptionally high level of tennis, with Zheng starting the stronger of the two as she claimed the first set and raced out to a 3-1 lead in the second.
World No.3 Gauff fought back, however, breaking Zheng twice to level the match at a set apiece and force a decider.
In the third set, Zheng again moved ahead a break and was within two points of winning the title before Gauff broke for 5-5.
The American then had two championship points in the 12th game, which Zheng saved, sending the match to a tiebreak.
Gauff had saved the best for last though, showing excellent composure to put aside the disappointment of her missed match points and create a 6-0 lead in the breaker.
A few nervous moments took the tiebreak to 6-2 before Gauff capitalised on a net cord to drill a slice past Zheng and claim the title.
“I want to congratulate Qinwen on an incredible match and tournament,” she said afterwards.
“You had a stellar season.
“Winning the gold medal and reaching so many finals.
“Hopefully we can play many more finals together.”
Gauff has now won nine career titles, adding to her titles at the China Open and Auckland Open already this year.
The victory sets up the world No.3 well for the start of 2025, with wins over world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka and No.2 Iga Swiatek earlier in the week in Riyadh.
Tennis bookmakers have shortened her odds to win the Australian Open ($5.50) as a result, but still have her trailing Sabalenka ($3.50) and Swiatek ($4.50) in the year’s first Grand Slam.
