Coco Gauff is assured a spot in the knock-out phase of the 2024 WTA Finals. With last year’s runner-up Jessica Pegula already eliminated, one of defending champion Iga Swiatek or Barbora Krejcikova can join her. Who will be victorious on Day 6 of the tournament in Riyadh?
WTA Finals Day 6 Predictions
Iga Swiatek vs Jessica Pegula
Head-to-head: Swiatek 6-4 Pegula
Swiatek lost to Gauff for only the second time in 13 meetings. It’s not the kind of start that new coach Wim Fissette would have envisaged. The defeat had instant repercussions. Swiatek can’t finish the season as World No. 1. Additionally, her title defense at the WTA Finals is under serious threat. Another round robin loss could potentially see her exit the tournament.
Jessica Pegula, for her part, has looked uninspiring and lackluster in her two matches in Riyadh. She’s been broken nine times and it’s fair to say that the long and arduous run of good form in North America is now taking its toll. This shouldn’t really be a tough call as Swiatek has shown more ambition than Pegula at the tournament.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Coco Gauff vs Barbora Krejcikova
Head-to-head: Krejcikova 1-0 Gauff
Will Gauff take her foot off the pedal now that her spot in the semifinal is all but secured? While it can be tempting not to go full throttle here in order to retain some of that energy for the remainder of the tournament, the young American will want to finish in top spot to avoid a semifinal showdown against Aryna Sabalenka. She has not won the group yet.
Krejcikova scored an important win in the last round against Pegula to boost her qualification hopes. She might still rue her missed opportunity against Swiatek in her opening match when she led by a set and a double break only to lose in three sets. The Czech has been serving exceptionally well, but can have jittery moments when she gets plenty of returns back. That’s what Gauff is good at.
Prediction: Gauff in 3
Main Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
