COCO Gauff secured a position in the semifinals of the WTA Finals after defeating defending champion Iga Swiatek.
The American (US) tennis player beat Swiatek 6-3, 6-4 to follow Aryna Sabalenka into the last four of the tennis tournament in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Gauff’s victory ensures that Sabalenka will be world number one at the end of the year because Swiatek will certainly not be able to catch up.
This was Gauff’s second win over Swiatek in 13 meetings between the two.
“It feels amazing,” Gauff said. “Even though I lost in the head-to-head, I am full of confidence and optimistic that I can win.
“The reason is, even though I have lost more, I always make things difficult. That gives me confidence so that this time I can win,” continued the 20 year old tennis player.
In the previous match, Gauff’s compatriot, Jessica Pegula, became the second player to be eliminated from the WTA Finals after Elena Rybakina, Sein (4/11). This was confirmed after Pegula surrendered 6-3 and 6-3 to Barbora Krejcikova.
Swiatek must beat Pegula in the final match of the Orange Group, Thursday (7/11) if she wants to advance to the semifinals of the WTA Finals. (bbc/Z-1)
#Bending #Ribs #Swiatek #Coco #Gauff #Advances #Semifinals #WTA #Finals
**Interview with Casper Ruud: Insights and Aspirations**
*Interviewer*: Hello, Casper! It’s great to have you with us today. You’ve had an amazing journey in tennis, reaching as high as No. 2 in the world. What would you say has been the key to your success?
*Casper Ruud*: Thank you! I think the key to my success has been my continuous pursuit of self-development. I’m always looking for new ways to improve my game while staying true to my strengths. It’s a balancing act, but I believe it helps me evolve as a player.
*Interviewer*: Speaking of strengths, which aspects of your game do you feel most confident about?
*Casper Ruud*: I would say my forehand and my ability to construct points strategically are my strong suits. I also take pride in my work ethic and mental resilience on the court. It’s important to capitalize on your strengths while still being open to growth.
*Interviewer*: It’s clear you have a strong mindset. How do you handle the pressures of playing at such a high level, especially on big stages?
*Casper Ruud*: Pressure is part of the game, and I try to embrace it rather than shy away from it. I focus on the processes rather than the outcomes, which helps me stay grounded. The support from my team and family also plays a significant role in helping me manage the stress that comes with competition.
*Interviewer*: Looking ahead, what are your goals for the upcoming season?
*Casper Ruud*: My primary goal is to keep improving and to challenge for titles consistently. I also want to maintain my ranking and hopefully make a deep run in the Grand Slams. Each year presents new challenges, but I’m ready to embrace them.
*Interviewer*: Lastly, Casper, if you could give one piece of advice to aspiring young tennis players, what would it be?
*Casper Ruud*: I would tell them to be patient and to enjoy the journey. Development takes time, and it’s important to stay focused on your goals while finding joy in the process of playing tennis. Build a strong foundation, work hard, and the results will follow.
*Interviewer*: Thank you, Casper! It’s been wonderful to hear your thoughts. Best of luck for the upcoming season!
*Casper Ruud*: Thank you! I appreciate it.
