Krejcikova knocks out Gauff 7-5, 6-4 to reach semis at season-ending championships

Barbora Krejcikova, from the Czech Republic, won her first grand slam title at the French Open in 2021. The following year, she reached a career-high rank of #2, but injuries curtailed her time at the top.

After a two-month layoff this past spring due to a back injury, she tore through the draw at the All England Club and won her second grand slam title, defeating Jasmine Paolini in three thrilling sets.

Although she did not qualify for the WTA Finals with a top-eight ranking, the twenty-eight-year-old earned the final spot as a grand slam champion with a top-twenty ranking. Currently ranked #13, she is seeded 8th in Riyadh. She lost her opening round-robin match to Iga Swiatek in a tight three-setter then dispatched Jessica Pegula in straights.  

Coco Gauff, from the United States, is ranked #3 and seeded #3. In her first two matches, the twenty-year-old defeated compatriot Pegula and world #2 Swiatek in straights for the loss of twelve games.

This was the second tour-level meeting between grand slam champions. Krejcikova won in straights on the dirt in the quarters in Paris en route to her first grand slam title.

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Gauff won the toss and elected to serve. She made 4/6 first serves including an ace up the tee for 1-0 while Krejcikova made 3/4 first serves including an ace out wide to level.

Gauff struck two consecutive aces and held easily to 15 for 2-1 while Krejcikova made 3/5 first serves and held to 15 for parity. The American hit her fourth ace but faced break point and dumped serve after two consecutive forehand errors.

The reigning Wimbledon champion missed 4/6 first serves but managed to consolidate the break for 4-2 when her opponent netted the return. The world #3 gifted her first double fault and faced two deuce points but held for 3-4 with well-struck serves including two additional aces.

Krejcikova opened the eighth with a spectacular forehand down the line and held for 5-3 when Gauff netted a forehand approach. The 2023 US Open champion served to stay in the set and with three tremendous aces, held for 4-5.

With pressure percolating and Gauff unloading off the ground, the 8th seed donated four unforced errors and dropped serve. Gauff missed 3/4 first serves including a double fault and was broken at love.

Krejcikova once again served for the set and was tested. Although she faced three deuce and four break points, she secured it 7-5 with four incredible winners including a running backhand down the line to clinch it.

Gauff served first in the second and held easily to 15 while Krejcikova faced double break point but held. Gauff made 4/6 first serves and held to 30 for 2-1 while Krejcikova missed 5/6 first serves yet held to level.

The American opened the fifth with new balls, her tenth ace, and held to 30 while Krejcikova struck two consecutive aces and held to 15 for 3-3. Gauff held easily to 15 for 4-3 and Krejcikova leveled with a winning overhead smash.

Gauff donated another double fault and dumped serve when her opponent crushed a backhand crosscourt. Krejcikova served for the match and the #1 spot in the Orange Group. After 10 ½ minutes and a slew of unforced errors, the former world #2 converted her 3rd match point after facing five deuce and four break points.

It was a sublime performance from the two-time grand slam champion. She utilized her variety and exceptional court coverage to confound her opponent. She finished with 4 aces, 0 double faults, and won 64% of first and 65% of second serve points. She saved 11/12 break points while converting 3/4 and hit 22 winners to 19 unforced errors.

With this round-robin victory, she avoids having to play the #1 in the Purple Group, Aryna Sabalenka. In the semis, she will battle the Australian Open finalist and Olympic gold medalist, Qinwen Zheng. This will be their second tour-level meeting. Zheng prevailed in three last fall on an outdoor hardcourt at the Zhengzhou Open.