Coco Gauff Claims WTA Finals Title Following Grueling Match Against Zheng Qinwen

Coco Gauff has now secured a WTA title across all competitive tiers. The American tennis player demonstrated exceptional resolve, recovering from being a set and a break down against Zheng Qinwen to emerge victorious in the season-ending WTA Finals. In a compelling contest held in Saudi Arabia, which extended just beyond three hours, Gauff defeated the Olympic champion with a score of 3-6 6-4 7-6 (7-2). At the age of 20, Gauff becomes the youngest champion of this tournament since Maria Sharapova achieved the feat precisely two decades ago, and the youngest American to do so since Serena Williams in 2001. “This means a lot to me,” stated Gauff, the third seed, who received a total prize of $4.8m (£3.7m) – a record sum in women’s professional tennis. She added, “This is the first professional women’s tennis event here in Saudi Arabia and I’ll forever be etched in history in that standard.” Earlier, in comments to Sky Sports, she remarked: “That was a great match. I was just trying my best to hang in there and I never gave up.” Her advancement to Saturday’s championship match in Riyadh made Gauff the youngest player to reach the final at the WTA Finals since Caroline Wozniacki in 2010. On her path to the final, she had overcome both the world number one, Aryna Sabalenka, and number two, Iga Swiatek, and applied early pressure on Zheng. In what was only their second career encounter – Gauff having won their initial match in straight sets in Rome earlier this year – Zheng, 22, was compelled to save four break points, including three during an intense fifth game. Nevertheless, it was the Chinese seventh seed who secured the crucial break in the opening set. A double fault from Gauff, following a series of three unforced errors, gave Zheng the advantage, allowing her to clinch the set when Gauff hit a backhand into the net. Zheng’s serve is recognized as one of her most potent assets, yet she found it challenging to utilize it effectively against Gauff. Her first of only four aces occurred at the beginning of the second set, after she had again broken Gauff’s serve. With renewed determination, the American leveled the score in an impressive return game, after which both players exchanged breaks once more. However, an unperturbed Gauff broke Zheng’s serve for the third consecutive game, forcing the match into a decisive third set. As the third set commenced, Gauff successfully defended three break points before eventually conceding, allowing Zheng to regain control on her serve – though this advantage proved fleeting. Gauff quickly broke back, her excellent net play rewarded as Zheng sent a forehand long, before Gauff then secured another love hold. Zheng subsequently claimed three consecutive games, dropping only four points throughout, and appeared to be cruising towards victory. Yet, a game marred by errors while serving for the match allowed Gauff to re-enter contention. This marked the beginning of the American’s own three-game winning streak. Her momentum was interrupted when Zheng saved two championship points, ensuring the tournament would be decided by a tie-break, which Gauff thoroughly dominated. This triumph represents Gauff’s third title of a year in which she did not reach a singles Grand Slam final. Her strongest performances were at the Australian Open and on the Roland Garros clay, where she reached the semi-finals. Fourth-round exits followed at Wimbledon and in New York, where she was defending her inaugural major title from 2023. Gauff had previously expressed reservations about competing in Saudi Arabia due to the country’s human rights record, but after her win, she stated: “Hopefully there’s more events here.” Coco Gauff now holds a 2-0 head-to-head record against Zheng Qinwen. Although it concluded in a loss, 2024 has been a memorable season for Zheng. After reaching her first Grand Slam final at the Australian Open in January – where she lost to Sabalenka – she made history in Paris during the summer by winning China’s first Olympic singles tennis gold medal. In addition to these achievements, the year also saw Zheng successfully defend her title at the Palermo Ladies Open and secure a victory at the Pan Pacific Open, which earned her a spot at the WTA Finals for the first time in her career. She is the youngest player to reach the final of the tournament on her debut since Petra Kvitova in 2011, and is projected to begin 2025 as a top-five player. “It hurts to lose this match of course but I think it’s better I forget it and move on for my next steps,” Zheng commented. Earlier on Saturday, the second-seeded duo of Erin Routliffe and Gabriela Dabrowski claimed the doubles title in Riyadh. The New Zealand-Canadian pair defeated American Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic 7-5 6-3, thereby avenging their defeat in the Wimbledon final.