RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka defeated Coco Gauff 7-6 (5), 6-2 at the WTA Finals on Thursday, earning her third consecutive group stage win and eliminating her American opponent from the tournament in the process.
Sabalenka’s victory means Jessica Pegula will advance from her group to the semi-finals along with the Belarusian No. 1. Pegula first defeated Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 6-3, improving her record to 2-1. In the final tournament of the season, where the world’s top eight players competed, defending champion Gauff finished with 1 win and 2 losses, while Paolini finished with 0 wins and 3 losses.
Sabalenka will face Amanda Anisimova in Friday’s semifinals in a rematch of this year’s US Open final, while Pegula will face Elena Rybakina.
Gauff broke Sabalenka twice in the first set, holding two break points and leading 5-2. The American was serving for the set at 5-4, but Sabalenka chased a drop shot and hit a forehand winner down the line to break.
“To be honest, I was already working towards the second set,” Sabalenka said. “Something clicked and I was able to break. That match gave me a lot of confidence that I could still win this set.”
Gauff led 4-2 in the tiebreak, but then hit a backhand on the next point and then double-faulted to give Sabalenka two set points. Sabalenka broke in the first game of the second set after converting her second with another forehand winner and was in complete control from there.
“We had a lot of chances in the first set,” Gauff said. “It was a little disappointing not to get that one. She stepped up her level and then I just couldn’t find it. Overall, I think I played at a high level.”
