2024-11-09 19:53:00
She had seen off both the world number one and two in Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek en route to the final, and piled the pressure on her opponent in the early stages against Zheng.
In what was only their second meeting – Gauff having won their first in straight sets in Rome earlier this year – Zheng, 22, was forced to save four break points, including three in a captivating fifth game.
But it was the Chinese seventh seed who got the decisive break in the opener, a double fault from Gauff after a hat-trick of unforced errors giving Zheng the advantage from which she sealed the set as Gauff slammed a backhand into the net.
Zheng’s serve is one of her greatest weapons, but she struggled to show it off against Gauff, with her first of only four aces coming at the start of the second set after she had broken Gauff again.
With renewed determination, the American restored parity in an outstanding return game, after which the pair again traded breaks. But the unperturbed Gauff broke Zheng’s serve for the third successive game to take the match to a decider.
At the start of the third set, Gauff saved three break points before conceding as Zheng took back control on her serve – yet it was only temporary.
Gauff soon broke back, her fine play at the net rewarded as Zheng sent a forehand long, before securing another love hold.
Zheng then won three successive games, dropping just four points along the way, and looked to be sauntering towards the win. But a game of errors when serving for the match brought Gauff back into contention.
That was the start of the American’s own three-game run, her spree halted as Zheng saved two championship points to ensure the tournament would be decided by a tie-break, which Gauff utterly dominated.
The victory marks her third title of a year in which she did not reach a singles Grand Slam final, with her best runs coming at the Australian Open and on the Roland Garros clay, when she was eliminated in the semi-finals.
Fourth-round exits followed at Wimbledon and in New York, where she had been defending her maiden major title from 2023.
Gauff previously said she had reservations about playing in Saudi Arabia because of the country’s human rights record, but said after her win: “Hopefully there’s more events here.”
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#Gauff #wins #WTA #Finals #epic #battle #Zheng
**Interview with Tennis Analyst James Lin on the Latest Match Between Coco Gauff and Zheng Qinwen**
**Interviewer:** James, thanks for joining us today. Let’s dive into the recent match between Coco Gauff and Zheng Qinwen. It was quite a thrilling encounter, especially considering Gauff’s path to the final. What were your thoughts on how Gauff performed after defeating both Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek?
**James Lin:** Thanks for having me. Gauff’s performance was impressive leading up to the final. She exhibited incredible resilience against the top-ranked players, which obviously boosted her confidence. However, facing Zheng presented a different challenge. Despite her earlier success, the match showcased some vulnerabilities.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned vulnerabilities. In the first set, Zheng managed to break Gauff’s serve and take the lead. What were the key moments that allowed Zheng to capitalize on Gauff’s game?
**James Lin:** The fifth game of the first set was pivotal for Zheng. Gauff had multiple break points but couldn’t convert them. Those missed opportunities added pressure, and a double fault alongside several unforced errors allowed Zheng to gain a crucial break. Zheng stayed composed and seized her chance, which ultimately set the tone for that first set.
**Interviewer:** Zheng is known for her powerful serve, yet she seemed to struggle to utilize it effectively during the match. How did that impact her overall game?
**James Lin:** It was surprising, really. While Zheng’s serve is one of her biggest weapons, she only registered four aces, which is quite low for her standards. Gauff pushed her into longer rallies, which prevented Zheng from fully unleashing her serve. This lack of a consistent serving rhythm likely affected her confidence and momentum throughout the match.
**Interviewer:** After losing the first set, Gauff managed to come back strong in the second set. What adjustments did you see from her play that helped her level the match?
**James Lin:** Gauff demonstrated remarkable determination and adjustment. She focused on her return game and was more aggressive. By attacking Zheng’s second serve and reducing her unforced errors, Gauff was able to shift the pressure back onto her opponent. This strategic shift showcased her ability to adapt mid-match, a hallmark of a top player.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, what does this match mean for both players as they continue their season?
**James Lin:** For Zheng, this victory is monumental; it shows her potential and ability to compete with the best, which will likely bolster her confidence in future matches. For Gauff, it’s a learning experience. She’s still young and will continue to grow from matches like this. Both players are definitely ones to watch as we move into the next events.
**Interviewer:** Great insights, James. Thank you for breaking down this exciting match for us!
**James Lin:** My pleasure! Always great to discuss such thrilling tennis.