Riyadh | Krejcikova has denied Swiatek the opportunity of reaching the WTA Finals knock-out stages.

Barbora Krejcikova caused quite the stir at the WTA Finals Riyadh presented by PIF on Thursday when she defeated Coco Gauff and knocked off Iga Swiatek to win Orange Group and top its standings. “Today was an enormous win for me at Wimbledon! I am really happy with how well I performed during an excellent match that saw ups and downs; however, victory at this legendary tournament remains my greatest career highlight – reaching the semi-final here was truly unthinkable! “I am truly pleased with myself, and am eagerly looking forward to taking on new challenges. Did it really not matter?” Swiatek asked reporters after his performance: “No way!” It was an impressive display from me and am glad that all efforts made towards winning were realized; two wins now in this group.” “The five-time Grand Slam champion admitted she wasn’t aware that qualification to the semifinals lay outside her control, yet was unaware. “Honestly, I don’t really care, as we go out on court trying to win every match regardless,” she explained. “So this issue wasn’t on my mind at all; in fact I wasn’t aware this would even be a factor!” “My professional nature compels me to always put forth 100 per cent in any contest I enter, no matter the stakes,” she continued, “if my semis match doesn’t materialise then there will be two days off and there’s no going back and playing better in matches against Coco or anyone else. “My record in Group C speaks for itself; I won two matches to guarantee my place there. Kasatkina later expressed displeasure over a WTA rule change which allowed Krejcikova, ranked 12th and reigning Wimbledon champion, to occupy an 8th spot at the Finals instead of finishing outside of Top 8 of Race for Grand Slam winners, Emma Navarro fell outside qualification as she finished 9th; due to injury concerns however she turned down becoming an alternate; so Kasatkina took Jessica Pegula’s place when Jessica pulled out during their group match against Swiatek and was forced to fill Jessica Pegula’s spot as she did not qualify either! “To me, the WTA Race is simply about how many points one accumulates over an annual cycle,” Kasatkina noted. If they win Grand Slam titles however, “all their hard work already pays off; winning these tournaments results in points, money and glory all at the same time”. Here it comes down to points alone as part of this year’s WTA Race.” “Points will always decide the outcome in these types of matches,” commented 27-year-old Simona Halep after winning Wimbledon and feeling extremely pleased with how she played, in what turned out to be an absolutely excellent contest. Halep also stated, referring back to their career highlight as being his Wimbledon victory being one of their crowning achievements to date. “To have reached a semi-final is almost unimaginable. I am truly honored and am eager to face any future challenges with gusto!” Krejcikova is now one of only 14 ranked players to reach the semi-final of WTA Finals since Sandrine Testud in 2001 when Sandrine reached that feat at 14. “I was definitely super thrilled and overjoyed at qualifying to compete against some of the world’s finest,” Krejcikova exclaimed. “I don’t really remember when or where everything began coming together for me.” Before the tournament began, Sabalenka practiced lightly for several days prior and found herself feeling quite good after these lighter hits – an indication of what the WTA Finals Riyadh means as her last tournament of 2018. Aryna Sabalenka will face Coco Gauff on Friday at King Saud University Indoor Arena, Saudi Arabia for their semi-final bout at WTA Finals Riyadh (c/ Clive Brunskill/ Getty Images). (c/ Clive Brunskill/ Getty Images). (clive Brunskill/ Getty Images