Coco Gauff is into the semi-finals at the WTA Finals after defeating Iga Swiatek 6-3 6-4 in the orange group.
It was a comfortable win for the American who is yet to drop a set so far in Riyadh and has confirmed her place in the last four.
There was early returning pressure from Gauff but Swiatek saved the first four break points that went against her with some aggressive returning.
However the Roland Garros champion failed to create any break points on return and Gauff broke in the last two games to seal the opening set.
There was a much more attack-minded start to the second set for Swiatek who converted her sixth break point of the set to take a 2-1 lead.
That pressure was neutralized by Gauff immediately though as she broke back to love for 2-2 as the American served 11 double faults during the contest.
It looked like Swiatek would be given a lifeline in the seventh game with the Pole breaking for a 4-3 lead.
But Swiatek was way too inconsistent and erratic with Gauff winning the last three games to secure only her second win over Swiatek in 13 meetings.
It means Gauff has now advanced to the last four at the WTA Finals joining Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals.
Speaking of Sabalenka, it also means that the Australian Open and US Open champion will end the year as world number one after Swiatek’s defeat.
As for Swiatek, the Pole will need to beat Jessica Pegula in her last group match and hope Coco Gauff defeats Barbora Krejcikova after the Wimbledon champion cruised to victory against Pegula in the earlier match.
The loss for Pegula means that she is out of the tournament whatever happens in her last match against Swiatek.
