Coco Gauff triumphed convincingly over defending champion Iga Swiatek at the WTA Finals with a score of 6-3 6-4, securing her spot in the semifinals and ensuring Aryna Sabalenka‘s year-end No. 1 ranking. This victory marks the American’s second career win over the Pole in thirteen meetings, adding a significant achievement to her impressive season. The 20-year-old American has been on a remarkable rise since parting ways with Brad Gilbert and is now looking to capture her third title of the year after wins at the ASB Classic and China Open. Her season record shows 52 wins and 16 losses, showcasing her consistency and growth.
Despite their extensive head-to-head history, which Swiatek dominates with an 11-2 record, Gauff’s victory was a testament to her resilience and strategic improvement. Swiatek, the four-time French Open champion, has historically had the upper hand in their encounters, including three Major matches at Roland-Garros in recent years. However, the World No.3’s win at the WTA Finals illustrates her growing prowess on the hard court, especially after her recent win in the Beijing Open.
Match Overview
In a match defined by its intense rallies and high stakes, Gauff’s precision and power made the difference. The 2023 US Open Champion hit two aces compared to the four-time French Open one and converted five of her twelve breakpoint opportunities, while Swiatek only managed to convert two of her eight. The 20-year-old’s dominant return game saw her win 38 receiving points to the pole 30, allowing her to pressure the 2024 Italian Open Champion service games consistently. The American won a maximum of five games in a row at one point, while the five-time Grand Slam champion’s longest streak was two. In total points, Gauff outscored Swiatek 79 to 64, underscoring her overall control of the match.
Gauff’s serving was another critical factor. She won seven of her nine service games, compared to Swiatek’s five of eight, highlighting her consistency under pressure. The American tennis player won 71% of points on her second serve compared to the Polish tennis player’s 45%, and she posted a win rate of 57% on her first serve, compared to Swiatek’s 37%. These impressive serving stats gave Gauff the upper hand in the crucial moments, as she skillfully handled the 23-year-old’s attempts to mount a comeback and secured a straight-sets victory.
What next for Iga Swiatek?
Sabalenka’s dominance in 2024 has been most evident on hard courts, where she captured the Australian Open title for the second year running, this time without dropping a set, and clinched her maiden US Open title, completing the prestigious hard-court double. Additionally, she captured WTA 1000 titles at the Cincinnati and Wuhan Open, solidifying her status as the top player in women’s tennis.
Given her hard-court success, the 26-year-old is a favorite for the upcoming 2025 Australian Open, while Swiatek, with a predominantly clay-focused 2024 season, remains more of a favorite on slower surfaces. However, Swiatek has a great chance to close the gap with Sabalenka at the Australian Open 2025, as she has very few points to defend. The Pole lost in the third round of this year’s Australian Open, whereas Sabalenka will be the defending champion.
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
