Coco Gauff shares key to big win over Iga Swiatek at WTA Finals

Coco Gauff reveals her mindset was to stay positive and optimistic against Iga Swiatek and it ultimately worked out well as she has a 2-0 record at the WTA Finals and a semifinal ticket booked.

On Tuesday, the top-ranked American female tennis player ended her four-match losing streak against the Pole and registered just her second win in their head-to-head after collecting a 6-3 6-4 victory at the WTA Finals. 

Going into the match, the Polish five-time Grand Slam winner held a dominant 11-1 head-to-head record. But this was just her first tournament in two months, while Gauff recently won her second WTA 1000 title in Beijing. And the 20-year-old had all the reasons to feel confident in her chances. 

“It feels great. I knew going into it despite our head-to-head I had a lot of confidence. I felt like I was playing great tennis. Even when I was playing a bit sloppy, the games I lost were still going to deuce. They gave me confidence. I knew if I could stay solid, I’d have the chance to close out the match,” the 2023 US Open champion reflected.

Coco Gauff

Coco Gauff© WTA Finals Riyadh/Instagram – Fair Use

 

Gauff knew her moment would come

In the third game of the first set, the world No. 3 missed out on three break points in the third game. But she kept playing her game and managed to win the opener after earning back-to-back breaks in the seventh and ninth games.

In the second set, Gauff was twice down by a break as Swiatek led 4-3 at one point and was serving. The American responded with two consecutive breaks and got the job done in straight sets.

“From the ground and return of serve. The first set I had like three straight games in a row with break points. I didn’t let it discourage me. I knew I’d get it eventually. Even In the last game I missed two forehand returns in the net and I told myself ‘it’s ok I’ll get the next one’ and I did,” the 20-year-old said.

On Thursday, Gauff faces Barbora Krejcikova, who has a 1-1 record.