Coco Gauff triumphed over Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling match to secure her place in the WTA Finals, defeating the world No. 1 with a score of 7-6 (4), 6-3 in Riyadh. Gauff's victory sets up a final showdown against Zheng Qinwen, who earlier defeated Barbora Krejcikova in the other semi-final. Just a month prior in Wuhan, Gauff had a strong start against Sabalenka, taking a set and a break lead before her serve faltered dramatically, resulting in an astonishing 21 double faults. However, this time around, Gauff showcased her growth as a player. At just 20 years old, she has been on the tour for five years, and her recent adjustments in gameplay have led to some of the best performances of her career. In her match against Sabalenka, Gauff delivered an impressive display, demonstrating her improved skills and resilience. Her victory not only highlights her potential but also marks a significant milestone in her journey as she advances to the final of the WTA Finals.

Zheng Qinwen has made a remarkable debut at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, advancing to the semi-finals after a commanding 6-1, 6-1 victory over Italian fourth seed Jasmine Paolini. At just 22 years old, Zheng has become the youngest player to reach the semi-finals since Petra Kvitova achieved the feat in 2011. In a dominant display, the seventh seed delivered an impressive performance, hitting 12 aces and marking her 30th win out of 34 matches since Wimbledon. "It’s one of the best performances I had during this year," Zheng expressed on the court. "I had a really good percentage of first serves. I enjoyed playing here tonight."