At the WTA Finals on Tuesday, Coco Gauff handed Iga Świątek her first defeat of the tournament, winning in straight sets 6-3, 6-4. Świątek, who previously dominated their head-to-head with an 11-1 record, was outplayed as Gauff’s precision and resilience took centre stage.
The match began on even terms, with each player holding serve until 3-3 in the first set. Gauff then seized the momentum with a critical break, advancing to a 4-3 lead, which Świątek was unable to recover. Despite Świątek’s attempts to counter, Gauff’s consistent winners and control helped her secure the first set 6-3. Gauff tallied 11 winners in the opener, showcasing the aggressive play that set the tone for her victory.
Świątek rallied in the second set, creating two break-point chances early but was unable to convert, allowing Gauff to hold. Although Świątek managed to briefly go up 2-1 after breaking Gauff, the American quickly levelled the score and eventually broke Świątek’s serve again at a crucial 4-4. Gauff held her serve at 5-4 and broke Świątek one final time to seal the set and the match 6-4.
With one more group match against Jessica Pegula on Thursday, Świątek still has a chance to secure her place in the semifinals, though Gauff’s commanding performance has added pressure.
Iga Świątek – Coco Gauff 0-2 (3-6, 4-6)