Riyadh | Gauff and Zheng Set to Clash at WTA Finals for Highest Payout

Coco Gauff stunned World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals of WTA Finals Riyadh presented by PIF on Friday evening after 7th seed Zheng Qinwen ended Barbora Krejcikova’s remarkable run early on Day 6 in Saudi Arabia with straight set victories over Barbora Krejcikova in straight sets earlier on that same day. Zheng is playing fantastic tennis. No nerves; year-end is simply an extra perk and reward for my season’s efforts. Yesterday was disappointing but today has brought its rewards! Played against World No 1, she was my favourite opponent – glad I managed to beat her! “Even when I was getting broken and then breaking back again, I kept a positive outlook and focused on playing every point to win my set,” Zheng noted in her post-match address to the crowd: “This feels so special; this is my first WTA Finals appearance and now a final; that is truly mind boggling!” “That was really unbelievable for me – now here I am in such an incredible environment!” “It was difficult, especially after leading by three sets, because at 3-0 I lost focus, my performance decreased, and she began playing more freely,” says McEneny. “But instead of panicking I just said: ‘Let’s regain our concentration’ – although this match proved extremely challenging it showed how mentally strong I am.” She believes everything that happens around us is real.” “After Wimbledon I experienced great difficulties. Roland Garros did not go well for me and neither did Wimbledon; everything happened for a reason and after this realization came about I tried my hardest not to let myself relax too quickly and kept a firm grip on my mentality – something which appears to be working successfully now. Gauff is still keeping his motivations high: “Since Wuhan,” Gauff noted that they had worked diligently on improving their serve since giving away 21 free points during an exhibition match he gave 21 more chances today than expected if that goal could be realized and they accomplished just that goal with ease. “Obviously she’s an incredible player; however, I felt as if if I played well and served well enough I stood a good chance. So once I stepped onto the court and noticed my serve was feeling strong I just knew there would be an edge for victory in me. “Sabalenka had an error-strewn start to the match, made worse by her often reliable forehand making error after error; yet still managed to break into lead the first set 6-5 before another forehand miss from Gauff sent matters into a tiebreak where American raced ahead 4-0 before Sabalenka made one final unforced error which gave Gauff the set.” “She really got lucky in those final few points of the first set, while I became distracted and let play flow away, until it was too late for a comeback in tiebreak; consequently I lost this round. “This match was my worst one so far because of all my missed opportunities from me and rushing.” Gauff declared in her on-court interview. Gauff played well against World No 1 Zheng in their only previous match on clay in Rome earlier this year and defeated Zheng. Gauff noted: “She’s playing great tennis; I’m not really nervous.” “My year-end performance was simply an additional incentive and reward for an awesome season that I had. Yesterday I lost, yet today was still able to play against World No 1. She was considered a favourite but I managed to come through and am proud I managed it.” When broken I kept fighting back with positive outlook despite losing breaks of serves several times during matches; whenever down a break I just knew every point must count!