Krejcikova reaches final semifinal spot at WTA Finals; Swiatek out

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Barbora Krejcikova secured the final spot in the semifinals of the WTA Finals with a 7-5, 6-4 win over Coco Gauff on Thursday, eliminating second-seeded Iga Swiatek from the season-ending tournament.

Krejcikova completes a final four lineup that already included front-runners Aryna Sabalenka, Zheng Qinwen and Gauff.

Krejcikova won the orange group and will face Zheng in Friday’s semifinals, while Gauff will face purple group winner Sabalenka.

Swiatek earlier defeated substitute Daria Kasatkina 6-1, 6-0 in less than an hour, but she needed Krejcikova’s loss to third-seeded Gauff to advance from the Orange group. Krejcikova, Gauff and Swiatek all finished 2-1, and Swiatek was eliminated because she had the worst set win rate.

Kasatkina replaced American Jessica Pegula, who withdrew from the tournament on Wednesday with a left knee injury.

“I am professional enough to always give 100%, no matter what is at stake,” Swiatek said.