Barbora Krejcikova saved a remarkable 11 out of 12 break points to defeat Coco Gauff 7-5 6-4 to advance to the semi-finals of the WTA Finals in Riyadh as Orange Group winner and eliminate defending champion Iga Swiatek.

Gauff was already assured of qualifying for the semi-finals, but world number 1 Swiatek needed the American to beat eighth-seeded Czech Krejcikova, who herself needed a win to progress.

Swiatek had put in a ruthless performance to dismantle Daria Kasatkina in the previous match, but her chances of progressing hinged on the second match, and her luck was on the cards as Wimbledon champion Krejcikova battled to victory over Gauff, whose place in the last square was already assured. .

All three women finished the group stage with two wins in three matches, but Krejcikova, the lowest-ranked player in the tournament, dominated the group with the best set percentage, with Swiatek the one who sat out.

Krejcikova will face Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen in the last four on Friday, while Gauff meets world number 1 Aryna Sabalenka.

“It’s definitely a big win for me,” the 28-year-old said during her on-court interview.

“I’m really happy with the way I played. Being able to qualify for the final and also reach the semi-finals is something unimaginable before this tournament. I’m very proud of myself and I’m looking forward to looking forward to new challenges.”

Krejcikova’s surprise victory at Wimbledon was the culmination of a largely disappointing season for her.

But she rose to the occasion in Saudi Arabia, bouncing back from a three-set loss to Swiatek in her opening match by beating Jessica Pegula and Gauff.

“Gauff looked uncomfortable there”

Sky Sports’ Laura Robson

“If you look at this week as a bonus and treat each game as it comes…she seems to have the right mindset. There’s no pressure or expectations for her.

“The first set for me was a bit up and down in terms of level. I just think Coco made too many unforced errors on the forehand.

“What she did well against Iga was to step back and Coco was pretty strict about sticking to the baseline, but we forget that Krejcikova’s natural shot has a nice height above the net and Krejcikova was able to exploit it.

“Gauff looked uncomfortable there.”

Swiatek dominates Kasatkina in final round robin match

Former world number one Swiatek showed incredible intensity as she dominated replacement Kasatkina after the injured Pegula withdrew after losing her first two matches.

She made it 6-1, 6-0 in a match that ended in 51 minutes – the shortest match in the last eight years at the WTA Finals.

“It was a pretty solid performance from me. I’m happy I did everything to win and happy to now have two wins in the group,” said the Pole.

“I feel like I’m rotating the ball well and picking the right shots to play faster and be solid.

“Thank you guys for your support. It means a lot and everywhere I go I hear that (crowd shouts ‘Iga’).

“I haven’t played in a while and I miss that feeling of support.”

She won an extraordinary 51 out of 74 points and broke Kasatkina’s serve five out of six times.

That gave Swiatek a 2-1 record in group play and made her a keen observer of the second singles match between Gauff and Krejcikova.

When informed that her result against Kasatkina had no impact on her qualification for the semi-finals during her press conference, Swiatek replied: “You mean… it didn’t matter ?

Tale of the gang

Coach Fissette on his collaboration with Swiatek

Swiatek hired Belgian tennis coach Wim Fissette last month after ending his three-year partnership with Tomasz Wiktorowski.

The 44-year-old has previously worked with Kim Clijsters, Simona Halep, Victoria Azarenka, Angelique Kerber and Naomi Osaka.

“There is still a lot of progress to be made. I think the forehand can be heavier and faster and bring variation to the game,” said the world-renowned coach.

“She’s so difficult to play because she plays with a lot of spin and it bounces off your racket and sometimes I feel like when it’s going fast she’s trying to play faster than the opponent, which which isn’t really her game. I think she should stay true to herself.

“I think what Iga does so well is moving back and forth, so as soon as the ball is short she’s super quick inside the court and backs up, but I think she uses her legs a little more in her shots to make her shots heavier, I think that’s where she can improve physically.

“I mean, I’m just starting now but I don’t think you’ll ever have to say to him, ‘Come on Iga, let’s push harder or try to be more intense.’

“I’m looking forward to pre-season, I’m loving it and it’s a chance to make a change. Hopefully 2025 will be a great year.”

What’s happening on Sky Sports Tennis?

• WTA Finals Riyadh – (November 2-9)
• Belgrade Open – ATP 250 (November 3-9)
• Moselle Open, Metz – ATP 250 (November 3-9 – Cameron Norrie in the semi-final)
• Nitto ATP Finals, Turin – (November 10-17)