"Iga Swiatek hasn't looked very sharp at all";"Horrible to watch" - Fans stunned as Coco Gauff conquers the Pole at WTA Finals 2024
Tennis fans were left in awe as Coco Gauff defeated Iga Swiatek in the second group match at the 2024 WTA Finals. Prior to this match, Gauff had faced the Pole a staggering 12 times and just managed to secure a single win.
Gauff is competing in her third WTA Finals, having previously qualified in 2022 and 2023. On the other hand, Swiatek is making her fourth appearance at the season-ending tournament, having participated in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Both players were drawn into the Orange group alongside Jessica Pegula and Barbora Krejcikova.
In the second group stage match, Coco Gauff outplayed Iga Swiatek with a score of 6–3, 6–4 to secure her second victory against the former World No.1 in her career.
The unexpected defeat left many tennis fans in disbelief. They took to social media to express their surprise at the Pole's loss and also shared their opinions on the match.
One fan noted that Swiatek appeared to lack her usual sharpness during the game.
"Happy for Coco. Iga hasn't looked very sharp at all so far with the exception of a few games against Barbora," a fan posted.
Many fans criticized Iga Swiatek's performance, describing it as "horrible" and "poor" to watch.
"Maintain that this tournament and this loss means basically nothing long term for Iga. Got to assume she won't play THAT bad again in 2025, but man that was horrible to watch. Lots of work to be done in the off-season," a fan wrote.
"Everyone was saying Coco was washed (at the old age of 20) over the summer. So amazing to see her prove she deserves to be at the top . I’m sure similar comments will come for Iga also, but I look forward to her proving the same heading into the new season!," a fan posted.
"A poor match, I thought. Gauff was rightly defensive as Iga was just over hitting, not great entertainment for viewers though," a fan wrote.
Several others commended Coco Gauff for her performance and applauded her on her victory over Iga Swiatek.
"Beating your pigeonizer in straights while serving double digit double fault… Cocofina the woman you are," a fan posted.
"Yesss Coco 👏🏼 Everyone wrote her off it’s hilarious. Well you won’t be laughing now," a fan wrote.
"Iga sometimes has the tennis IQ of a 5 year old and it pisses me off," a fan posted.
Iga Swiatek will next face Jessica Pegula at WTA Finals 2024, while Coco Gauff will go up against Barbora Krejcikova
![Iga Swiatek at the 2024 WTA Finals [Image Source: Getty]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/11/7f789-17308743512130-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the third group stage match at the 2024 WTA Finals, Iga Swiatek will be facing off against Jessica Pegula, while Coco Gauff will be going up against Barbora Krejcikova.
Swiatek kicked off her title defense at the season-ending tournament by defeating Krejcikova 4–6, 7–5, 6–2 in the first group stage match. However, she lost to Coco Gauff with a score of 3–6, 4–6 in the next round. The former World No.1 will now be aiming to defeat Pegula to secure her spot in the semifinals.
Swiatek and Pegula have faced each other 10 times on the WTA tour, with the former World No.1 coming out on top in six. Their most recent clash was in the quarterfinals of the 2024 US Open, which the American won 6-2, 6-4.
On the other hand, Coco Gauff has had a strong start to her 2024 WTA Finals campaign, winning both her matches. She defeated Pegula 6–3, 6–2 in the first group stage match and overcame Swiatek 6–3, 6–4 in the next round. She will face Barbora Krejcikova in the third group stage match.
Gauff and Krejcikova have only met once on the WTA Tour, with Krejcikova winning their sole encounter in the quarterfinals of the 2021 French Open, with a score of 7-6(6), 6-3.