By Tony Fairbairn
- Coco Gauff [3] v Qinwen Zheng [7]
- H2H: Gauff leads 1-0
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – Coco Gauff is aiming to expand her collection of big titles when she takes on Qinwen Zheng in the final of the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia.
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Coco Gauff [3] v Qinwen Zheng [7] H2H & Match Fundamentals
Despite an underwhelming season, Coco Gauff has the chance to expand her collection of big titles as she is into her first final at the WTA Finals. The American defeated world number one Aryna Sabalenka with a dominant performance and will now hope to win the biggest title of her season. Standing in Gauff’s way of glory in Riyadh is Olympic gold medallist Qinwen Zheng as the Chinese defeated Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova in order to reach her maiden final at the WTA Finals.
| Coco Gauff [3] v Qinwen Zheng [7] | H2H: Gauff leads 1-0 |
| WTA Finals 2024 | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
| Indoor Hard | Prize Money: $2,500,000 + Money earned in previous rounds |
| Second on Center Court (Not before 16:00 GMT) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
Gauff has beaten the two best players in the world on her way to the final while Zheng has defeated Grand Slam finalists and champions on her way to the showpiece event.
Coco Gauff [3] route to the final
RR: Jessica Pegula [6] 6-3 6-2
RR: Iga Swiatek [2] 6-3 6-4
RR: Barbora Krejickova [8] 5-7 4-6
SF: Aryna Sabalenka [1] 7-6(4) 6-3
Qinwen Zheng [7] route to the final
RR: Aryna Sabalenka [2] 3-6 4-6
RR: Elena Rybakina [5] 7-6(4) 3-6 6-1
RR: Jasmine Paolini [4] 6-1 6-1
SF: Barbora Krejcikova [8] 6-3 7-5
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2024)
| H2H: | Coco Gauff (WR 3) | Qinwen Zheng (WR 7) |
| Tournament Previous Best | Semi-Final (2023) | N/A |
| 1st Serve Return Points Won % | 41.8 | 36.6 |
| Return Points Won % | 48.5 | 43.9 |
| Break Point Conversion % | 51.1 | 46.9 |
| Break Point Saved % | 61.2 | 57.7 |
| Total Points Won % | 54.4 | 52.8 |
Gauff will continue to be efficient on return while Zheng will hope to step up her aggression on serve in order to neutralize the American’s returning qualities.
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Playing Styles and Prediction
Gauff’s surge through the tour in the latter stages of the year continues as she has now beaten the world’s best two players in the same tournament.
This could be the start of a big wave of momentum for Gauff ahead of next year and will look to cap off an incredible week by winning the WTA Finals title for the first time.
After her semi-final win over Sabalenka, Gauff praised the usage of her serve as that has been a big talking point for her this season.
“I knew I had worked hard on my serve since [Wuhan],” Gauff told the WTA website.
“That was 21 free points that I gave. I knew if I could cut that in half, I would give myself a better chance and obviously I did well over that today.
“Obviously she’s a great player, but I just felt like if I can just play well and serve well, I had a good chance. And once, you know, I stepped on the court and realized I was feeling my serve, I just kind of had that belief that I can win.”
Standing in Gauff’s way is Zheng who has had an extraordinary year having reached her first Grand Slam final at the Australian Open which was then followed by claiming Olympic gold.
Now Zheng aims to capture the WTA Finals trophy with the Chinese number one knowing that whatever happens she will end the year in the world’s top five.
Speaking ahead of the final, Zheng admitted she’s had struggles this season but claims the motivation to do well is still high.
“I feel everything is real,” Zheng told the WTA website.
“I know after Wimbledon I had a big struggle. I did not perform well at Roland Garros. I did not perform well at Wimbledon. I think everything’s for a reason.
“After that, even though I was the Olympic champion, I tried to keep my mentality stable, don’t get relaxed. Seems like it’s working. I still keep the motivations pretty high.”
Gauff will continue to take the ball early in order to put Zheng under pressure from the baseline with the American looking to attack the net.
Meanwhile Zheng will have to be aggressive on serve as she will look to take the match to the in-form American.
This should be an entertaining match with both players having the opportunity to win a big title to end the year.
In the end Gauff’s consistent quality should prove too much in this high stakes final.
Prediction: Gauff in three sets.
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