WTA Finals 2024 Final: Coco Gauff vs Zheng Qinwen preview, head-to-head, prediction, and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (3) Coco Gauff vs (7) Zheng Qinwen
Date: November 9, 2024
Tournament: WTA Finals 2024
Round: Finals
Venue: King Saud University Indoor Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Category: Year-end championships
Surface: Hard (Indoor)
Prize Money: $15.25 million
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel |U K - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN
Coco Gauff vs Zheng Qinwen preview
Coco Gauff will take on Zheng Qinwen for the WTA Finals crown this Saturday.
Gauff has quickly risen up the ranks on the women's tour. She was outside the top 600 in 2018, but is currently among the top five players in the world. The American reached her third final on Friday, apart from title-winning runs in Auckland and Beijing this year. She defended her title at the ASB Classic by defeating Elina Svitolina in the finals, 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-3.
The 20-year-old started her campaign in Riyadh by cruising past sixth seed Jessica Pegula and defending champion Iga Swiatek in the first two bouts. She then came up shy against Barbora Krejcikova, but made amends by conquering Aryna Sabalenka in the last four. Gauff powered through the Belarusian in straight sets, 7-6(4), 6-3.
Zheng Qinwen, meanwhile, is enjoying her best season on the women's tour this year. She's chalked up 45 wins from 61 matches, including title-winning runs in the Palermo Ladies Open and the Japan Women's Open. She also made her country proud by securing a gold medal at the Summer Olympics in Paris.
The Chinese No. 1 came up short against Aryna Sabalenka in her opener but rebounded with potent wins over Elena Rybakina and Jasmine Paolini in her next two bouts. She then held off Barbora Krejcikova in the last four, 6-3, 7-5. Qinwen is through to her maiden finals at the year-end championships.
Coco Gauff vs Zheng Qinwen head-to-head
Gauff leads the head-to-head against Qinwen 1-0. She defeated the Chinese most recently in the 2024 Italian Open.
Coco Gauff vs Zheng Qinwen odds
All odds sourced from BETMGM.
Coco Gauff vs Zheng Qinwen prediction
Coco Gauff has been one of the sharpest players on tour in the last few months. While most players have been feeling the after-effects of a hectic season, the American has shown elite fitness levels in Riyadh. She's taken out the top two seeds en route to the final and will fancy her chances to lift the title.
Qinwen, on the other hand, has been so good at finding a way past challenging situations this year. She has the maturity to hang in with the best players on court and will need a special performance to conquer Gauff on Saturday. The 22-year-old likes to play long rallies before making her move and has a solid all-around game.
An outstanding season on the women's tour will come to an end with two resilient players fighting for the crown in Riyadh. Gauff will be a slight favorite to come out on top, but Qinwen won't make things easy for the third seed. Considering their experience at the highest level and record on hardcourts, the American will be poised to earn the bragging rights in the final and finish with an invaluable trophy in Riyadh.
Pick: Gauff to win in three sets.