RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Coco Gauff defeated world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to set up a showdown with Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen in the WTA finals on Friday.
Gauff generated six break points to Sabalenka’s four in the 7-6(4), 6-3 win, and carried her early momentum into a tiebreak in the opening set that she carried into the second.
At 20, she is the youngest player to reach a WTA finals since Caroline Wozniacki in 2010.
Zheng earlier defeated Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova 6-3, 7-5 to secure a spot in Saturday’s final.
Zheng continued his incredible season by reaching the decider in his first appearance. The Chinese player has won 31 of her 36 matches since Wimbledon, more than anyone else on tour.
Zheng hit nine aces to defeat Krejcikova in one hour and 40 minutes.
