Coco Gauff limits mistakes versus Aryna Sabalenka to reach WTA Finals final

For some time now, Coco Gauff has had issues with her serve. She gives too many free points away to her opponents. During the 2024 summer, when her opponent wasn't getting the best of her naturally during a match, Gauff was beating herself. Since removing Brad Gilbert as her coach, though, things have changed a bit.

Gauff still struggles with her serve some, but less consistently so. Against WTA No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals of the WTA Finals, Gauff didn't let her serve become a problem, but she also limited her mistakes on her forehand. In the first set, her winners versus unforced errors were almost even. Sabalenka was the one beating herself as she has just six winners but 24 unforced errors.

The second set was even less of a challenge for Gauff. She frsutrated Sabalenka by chasing seemingly everything the Belarusian hit down and returning the ball to places Sabalenka was unprepared for. Gauff's ability to return serve was also exquisite. She broke the Belarusian multiple times to begin the second set and Gauff took a 4-1 lead.

Coco Gauff will face Qinwen Zheng in the WTA Finals final after defeating Aryna Sabalenka

Sabalenka did give herself some hope, though, and got one of the breaks back in an exceedingly long game to get the second set 4-2 in favor of Gauff. Unfortunately for the Belarusian, Gauff came back to break at love to get to 5-2. Gauff failed to serve out the match, though. The fourth break in a row in the match overall. Gauff made it five straight breaks and took the 7-6 6-3.

For Sabalenka, the loss is likely a difficult one as she still has not won a WTA Finals. She is guaranteed to finish as the year-end No. 1, though, and she did win two Grand Slams in 2024, but not closing her year the best she could will probably bother her. Also, losing to Gauff again deep in a tournament might give her some doubt in future matchups under the same conditions.

Gauff will next face Qinwen Zheng in the WTA Finals final on Saturday. The two have only met once before which was in the quarterfinals of the Rome Open this year. Gauff won in straight sets. Both players are in their peak forms currently, though, so the final might be an instant classic. Both hit with elite power, but Gauff's athleticism and defense might simply be too much as long as she can once again limit her mistakes.

More tennis news and analysis: