WTA Finals Riyadh: Coco Gauff defeats Qinwen Zheng to claim season-ending title in Riyadh
Coco Gauff edged out Qinwen Zheng to win the WTA Finals Riyadh
Coco Gauff became the youngest player to win the WTA Finals in 20 years after edging Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng in an epic season-ending finale.
Gauff, who was two points from defeat, sealed a stunning 3-6 6-4 7-6 (7-2) victory against Olympic champion Zheng in one of the matches of the year.
The former US Open champion, who struggled during the North American hard-court swing, turned her fortunes around by playing some of the best tennis of her career to defeat defending champion Iga Swiatek before upsetting an out-of sorts Aryna Sabalenka en route to the final.
Gauff became the first American champion since Serena Williams 10 years ago and the youngest winner at the end-of-season event since Maria Sharapova in 2004.
The 20-year-old came from 2-0 and 5-3 down in the final set and was two points from defeat at one stage.
But she took the set to a tie-breaker, winning the first six points, and although Zheng threatened a comeback it was Gauff who sealed victory with a forehand winner at the net after three hours and four minutes of intense action.
“It was a really great match. Qinwen played some unbelievable tennis,” the 20-year-old told Sky Sports Tennis. “I was just trying my best to hang in there and I never gave up.
