"Remind me: What's Coco Gauff's ranking?" - American losing to Barbora Krejcikova and eliminating Iga Swiatek at WTA Finals infuriates ex-tennis pro
Coco Gauff's loss to Barbora Krejcikova resulted in the Czech player winning their group at the WTA Finals 2024, a shock, considering the reigning Wimbledon champ's recent form. More importantly, it eliminated defending champion Iga Swiatek from the tournament, another shocking result very few had seen coming.
With Gauff 2-0 and Swiatek 1-1 heading into the final day of group matches, Swiatek needed a win for the American to decide her fate at the tournament. To her credit, she made light work of her battle against alternate Daria Kasatkina, beating the Russian 6-1, 6-0 in less than an hour.
Krejcikova, who had lost to Swiatek in their clash, needed to beat Gauff to reach the knockouts and did precisely that. The former World No. 2 won 7-5, 6-4 to leap over both Swiatek and Gauff, sending the Pole packing home in the process.
Ex-Polish tennis player Lech Sidor was among the many who were disappointed by the four-time Grand Slam champion getting knocked out of the tournament. Sidor, who reached a career-high ranking of World No. 793 in singles and now works as a commentator for Eurosport, was even more miffed by the display put on by Coco Gauff, comparing the American to a trainee at a cash register.
Regardless, he extended praise to Krejcikova for keeping her nerves under control, exemplified by the fact that she saved 11 of 12 break points on the night.
"And the whole elaborate plan is gone, @CocoGauff engaged like a trainee at the cash register at 🐞, no comment, just remember: what is her ranking?🤦🏼♀️, applause for @BKrejcikova - she kept her nerves under control and proved that she plays very well pure tennis!" he wrote.
Since winning Wimbledon, Krejcikova has had a string of dismal results before the WTA Finals, losing in the Round of 64 at the US Open and the China Open, the Round of 32 at the Wuhan Open and the quarterfinals of the Ningbo Open.
Swiatek, meanwhile, was playing her first tournament since the US Open, and lost only one encounter at the tournament -- a straight-sets loss to Gauff.
Who do Coco Gauff and Barbora Krejcikova face in the WTA Finals semifinals?
In the semifinals of the WTA Finals, Coco Gauff will take on World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, while Barbora Krejcikova will take on Zheng Qinwen. Sabalenka, like Gauff, lost only one match in the group stage, to Elena Rybakina.
Similar to Krejcikova, Zheng had one sole loss in the group stage, falling to Sabalenka. Neither player has previously won the WTA Finals, and will be looking to win their maiden year-end championship.