Coco Gauff made history on Saturday, becoming the youngest player in 20 years to win the WTA Finals after a thrilling three-set victory over China’s Zheng Qinwen. Gauff fought back to win 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(2) in a match that lasted three hours, making her the first American to claim the title since Serena Williams in 2013. The 20-year-old showed nerves of steel in the final-set tie-break, racing to a 6-0 lead before sealing the win. Overjoyed, she fell on the court in celebration, securing the year-end world number three ranking for the second consecutive year. The match was also the longest WTA Finals title clash since 2008.
"I was just trying my best to hang in there and I never gave up," Gauff said after the match. “I just love to say I’m right. Specifically today, I got comments about how I was going to lose badly, so I was just like, ‘OK, we’ll see,’” Gauff explained. “It’s honestly just liking the idea of just proving people wrong and, and letting your racket do the talking. And so, yeah, I use it as motivation.”
Gauff beat the world’s top two players — Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek — on her run to the final at the season-ending event in Riyadh. Gauff has also earned a massive $4,805,000 in prize money, the biggest in women’s sports history.
Coco Gauff creates history
Zheng, making her WTA Finals debut, took the first set in under an hour, saving five break points to keep Gauff at bay. The Olympic gold medallist continued her strong form in the second set, leading 3-1. However, Gauff fought back, breaking Zheng twice to level the match.
In the third set, Zheng twice went up a break and even served for the match at 5-4, but four unforced errors allowed Gauff to recover. The American then dominated the tie-break to secure her first WTA Finals title.
"It was a really great match. Qinwen played some unbelievable tennis," Gauff said. "I was just telling myself, 'it's another point, another chance.' I've been in situations like this in the past and was able to turn it around."
Earlier, Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe won the doubles title, defeating Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend 7-5, 6-3, avenging their Wimbledon final loss.
Zheng, who became the second Chinese player to reach the WTA Finals final after Li Na in 2013, praised her team and congratulated Gauff. "Congrats to the champion. It’s your first title here. I wish you have a great future," she said.
