Iga Świątek delivered a masterful performance at the WTA Finals in Cancun, defeating Coco Gauff in two sets, 6-0, 7-5. With this victory, Świątek has virtually guaranteed her spot in the tournament’s semifinals.
The match began with a stark contrast in performance, as Coco Gauff struggled to adapt to the court conditions from the start, despite this being her second match in the tournament. Unpredictable winds added to her woes, making it difficult for her to gauge the ball’s trajectory, resulting in numerous unforced errors. In contrast, Iga Świątek displayed remarkable focus and confidence right from the outset. The first set ended in just 27 minutes, with a “bagel” in tennis terminology for the Pole.
Absolutely flawless tennis 🎾@iga_swiatek races to a one-set lead against Gauff after 27 minutes.#WTAFinals pic.twitter.com/5k7Z3sKFA5
— wta (@WTA) November 1, 2023
Yet, the nature of tennis can shift dramatically, and this match was no exception. Gauff broke her serve in the third game of the second set, boosting her confidence. The pivotal moment came in the fifth game when Świątek missed three break-point opportunities, resulting in a tense battle. Despite this setback, Świątek regained the service break shortly after but later lost her own serve, bringing the score to 4-4.
With the match levelled, an astonishing turn of events unfolded as Coco Gauff, after winning the first point, shockingly committed four consecutive double faults, gifting the game to Świątek. This left spectators puzzled about Gauff’s sudden mental struggle. However, Iga Świątek, maintaining her unwavering focus, went on to dominate the next two games, securing a well-deserved victory.
This triumph marks the second win for the Polish tennis prodigy in Cancun and her ninth victory in ten encounters against Coco Gauff.
Looking ahead, Iga Świątek will face Ons Jabeur in her final group stage match on Friday, capping off what has already been an impressive run at the WTA Finals in Cancun.
Iga Świątek – Coco Gauff 2-0 (6-0, 7-5)