Barbora Krejcikova grabbed the final semifinal spot on the WTA Finals with a 7-5, 6-4 win over Coco Gauff on Thursday, a outcome that eradicated second-ranked Iga Swiatek from the season-ending match.
Krejcikova completes a last-four lineup that already included top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka, Zheng Qinwen and Gauff.
“It is a large win for me and actually proud of how I performed and it was a extremely good match,” the 27-year-old Krejcikova mentioned. “It is powerful. It was up and down. … Being right here and reaching the semifinal, it is one thing unimaginable. I am actually pleased with myself, and I am trying ahead to the brand new challenges.
“I used to be positively tremendous excited to be right here, to come back right here, to qualify to play in opposition to the very best ones,” Krejcikova added.
Krejcikova, the Wimbledon champion, received the Orange Group and can face Zheng in Friday’s semifinals, whereas Gauff will tackle Purple Group winner Sabalenka.
Krejcikova took a good first set, which lasted 54 minutes, after saving 4 break factors, wrapping it up with a strong backhand that zipped down the road. Gauff, who had not dropped a set within the finals earlier than Thursday, was harm by unforced errors, with 23 within the opener.
The second set was as soon as once more an in depth affair, however Krejcikova held her nerve to safe the win in 1 hour, 42 minutes.
Krejcikova is the lowest-ranked participant to ebook a spot within the semifinals since Sandrine Testud (14) in 2001.
Swiatek earlier routed alternate Daria Kasatkina 6-1, 6-0 in 51 minutes, the quickest match on the WTA Finals in eight years, however she wanted Krejcikova to lose to third-ranked Gauff to advance from the Orange Group. Krejcikova, Gauff and Swiatek all completed at 2-1, and Swiatek was eradicated as a result of she had the worst share of units received.
Kasatkina changed American Jessica Pegula, who withdrew from the match Wednesday due to a left knee damage.
“I am skilled sufficient to at all times give 100% it doesn’t matter what the stakes are,” Swiatek mentioned.
Kasatkina isn’t the primary participant to be steamrolled on the WTA Finals by Swiatek, who took her tally of 6-0 set wins on the match to 5, tying Serena Williams’ complete and now behind solely Martina Navratilova (12), Chris Evert (7) and Steffi Graf (7).
The Related Press and Reuters contributed to this report.