Barbora Krejcikova, the 2021 Wimbledon champion, has secured her place in the WTA Finals semifinals in Riyadh after a commanding 7-5, 6-4 victory over third-seeded Coco Gauff. The Czech star’s win allowed her to finish top of the Orange group, sealing her spot in the final four. Meanwhile, defending champion Iga Swiatek, despite a dominant win of her own, was unexpectedly eliminated due to a complex tiebreaker system, leaving the Polish player stunned.
Krejcikova’s Resilient Road to the Semis
Krejcikova, who has had a mixed 2024 season, spoke of the importance of her win after securing the semifinal berth. “Definitely, this is a big win for me,” she said. Reflecting on her year, Krejcikova added, “This year was really up and down, and definitely the Wimbledon victory is the highest point of my career so far. Being here, being able to qualify for the semis and playing tomorrow, it’s something unimaginable before this tournament, so I’m really proud of myself.”
The victory was not just a personal milestone for Krejcikova, but also a testament to her tenacity. Despite an inconsistent year, the 2021 Wimbledon champion showed that she still has the firepower to compete at the highest level. Her performance against Gauff was efficient and clinical, ending the match in straight sets to ensure she advanced to the next stage of the prestigious tournament.
Krejcikova’s next challenge will come in the semifinals against China’s Qinwen Zheng, who finished second in the Purple group. Zheng, who claimed the gold medal at the Paris Olympics, enters the match as a slight favourite, boasting an impressive 30-5 record since Wimbledon.
Swiatek Dominates, But Is Eliminated
In a cruel twist of fate, Iga Swiatek’s dominant 6-1, 6-0 win over alternate Daria Kasatkina wasn’t enough to keep her in the tournament. Swiatek’s victory left her with a 2-1 record in the Orange group, but despite her commanding performance, she was knocked out due to the round-robin tiebreaker rules.
Swiatek expressed her surprise and disappointment after the match, acknowledging that, despite her win, the outcome hinged on Krejcikova’s match with Gauff. “Honestly, I don’t think it matters. We go out on court to win every match anyway. So I wasn’t thinking about that,” said Swiatek, who seemed genuinely unaware of the implications of her result.
The match against Kasatkina, which lasted only 51 minutes, was the shortest contest at the WTA Finals in eight years. Swiatek’s ability to dispatch her opponent with such ease underlined her form, but unfortunately, the tiebreaker rules left the Polish star out of contention for the semis.
As the defending champion, Swiatek’s exit was a major shock. She had entered the tournament with high hopes of securing back-to-back titles in Riyadh but will now have to look ahead to 2025, after a promising start to the year was derailed by the tiebreaker outcome.
Semifinal Matchups: What to Expect
With the stage set for the semifinals, all eyes are on the upcoming matchups. Krejcikova will take on Zheng, who has been in sensational form since her gold medal win in Paris, while Gauff will face top seed Aryna Sabalenka.
For Gauff, the upcoming semifinal against Sabalenka will be a test of nerves. To stand a chance against the world No. 1, Gauff will need to cut down on her unforced errors. Against Krejcikova, Gauff struggled with 40 unforced errors, which ultimately proved to be the difference in her defeat. Sabalenka, who has won the last two meetings between the pair, is the favourite heading into the match but will need to maintain her consistency if she is to overcome the American.
Sabalenka, fresh off winning the Purple group, will enter her match with Gauff full of confidence. The Belarusian’s power game and consistency have been a hallmark of her season, and with the WTA Finals title in sight, Sabalenka will aim to continue her dominant run.
Krejcikova vs. Zheng: A Clash of Titans
Zheng enters her semifinal as a formidable opponent for Krejcikova. The Chinese star has been on a tear this season, compiling a 30-5 record since Wimbledon, a mark that places her among the most consistent players of the year. Krejcikova, by contrast, has had a more limited schedule, playing just 32 matches in 2024. Despite this, her experience on big stages—highlighted by her Wimbledon title—could give her an edge against Zheng.
As both players prepare for the semifinals, fans can expect a thrilling contest, with Zheng’s explosive form and Krejcikova’s tactical sharpness set to make for an intriguing clash. The outcome of this match could determine who gets to compete for the coveted WTA Finals title.
