“Year-end, I consider it as a plus, and even being here is a reward for the season I’ve had,” were the words from Coco Gauff as she moved past the Australia and US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 at the WTA Finals semis. While she experienced ups and downs, her performance during the Asian swing, culminating in a China Open title, was particularly impressive. The addition of coach Matt Daly further accelerated her progress, culminating in a historic qualification for the year-end finals for the first time. With this came a historic feat!

At just the age of 20, Coco Gauff has now become the youngest player to reach the WTA Finals championship match since Caroline Wozniacki in 2010. Fourteen years ago, a thrilling battle for the year-end No. 1 ranking unfolded between Wozniacki and Zvonareva at the WTA Finals(then WTA Tour Championships). Wozniacki emerged victorious, clinching the top spot by advancing to the final, where Kim Clijsters ultimately claimed her third and last WTA Finals title with a score of 6-3, 5-7, 6-3. 

Despite securing the year-end world number one ranking, Sabalenka struggled throughout her match against Gauff. Plagued by unforced errors, particularly from her forehand, she appeared frustrated and off her game. The match was a rollercoaster of breaks, with both players struggling to hold serve. However, Gauff maintained her composure and capitalized on Sabalenka’s mistakes. A crucial tiebreak in the first set gave Gauff the momentum, and she carried it into the second set, dominating early on.

While Sabalenka managed to fight back, Gauff’s consistent play and Sabalenka’s erratic behavior ultimately sealed the victory for the young American. The match was a stark reminder that even the best players can have off days. Gauff also notched a rare 6-3, 6-4 win over former world number one Iga Swiatek in her second group stage match.

The 20-year-old has been on a tear since the US Open, losing only two of her last 14 matches. Now, Gauff will face another young talent, Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen in the event’s finals. Zheng claimed her spot in the finals for the first time with a 6-3, 7-5 win over 2024 Wimbledon winner, Barbora Krejčíková. This year’s WTA Finals tournament, held in Riyadh, is set to offer record prize money of £12($15.50) million, making it one of the most prestigious events in the sport.

This historic final will determine if Gauff can crown her season with the WTA Finals title, which is a milestone achieved by legends like Kim Clijsters and pursued by many of tennis’s greatest players.

Coco Gauff joins the exclusive club with Maria Sharapova

After taking down sixth-ranked Jessica Pegula and second-ranked Iga Swiatek in the round-robin stage, Gauff advanced to the semifinals, where she defeated Aryna Sabalenka, the year-end No. 1, in straight sets. These two victories have placed the World No. 3 in an elite group of legends. Gauff is now the youngest WTA player to defeat both World No. 1 and World No. 2 at the same event since Maria Sharapova achieved the feat 17 years ago.

Adding another remarkable coincidence, both Gauff and Sharapova were ranked No. 3 at the time of their victories over the top two players. In 2006, Sharapova overcame World No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo and World No. 2 Justine Henin to capture her second Major title at the US Open and therefore achieved this at 19 years, 4 months, and 23 days old. There’s a third record too!

No. 3 Gauff and No. 7 Zheng are the youngest pair (42 years, 259 days) to reach the final at the year-end tournament since 2004, when Serena Williams was 23 and Maria Sharapova only 17 (40 years, 251 days). “I asked that as soon as I got the match” Gauff said to WTA.

“I asked `Was this the youngest? It has to be some kind of record.’ I asked the Sky team, what was the answer. They didn’t have it, but that’s good to know. It was 2004. The year I was born was the last time, so in my lifetime, basically, I’ve never seen it. That’s pretty cool. It just shows age is a number both ways, old and young.” It still remains to be seen if Gauff will be able to get past Zheng and capture her first WTA Finals in her third attempt!