Riyadh, Nov 8 (AP) Barbora Krejcikova grabbed the last semifinal spot at the WTA Finals with a 7-5, 6-4 win over Coco Gauff, a result that eliminated second-ranked Iga Swiatek from the season-ending tournament. Krejcikova completes a last-four lineup that already included top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka, Zheng Qinwen and Gauff. Aryna Sabalenka Clinches World Number One Ranking for First Time After Iga Swiatek Loses to Coco Gauff at WTA Finals 2024.

“Well, I was definitely super excited to be here, to come here, to qualify to play against the best ones,” Krejcikova said on Thursday. “I don't really know where everything started to come together. Before the tournament, I had a couple of days where we hit lightly and already during those hits, I felt quite good. And I think definitely for me, it's a big thing that it's the last tournament of the season.”

Krejcikova, the Wimbledon champion, won the Orange Group and will face Qinweng Zheng in Friday's semifinals, while Gauff will take on Purple Group winner Sabalenka. Swiatek earlier routed alternate Daria Kasatkina 6-1, 6-0 in less than an hour, but she needed Krejcikova to lose to third-ranked Gauff in order to advance from the Orange Group. Krejcikova, Gauff and Swiatek all finished at 2-1, and Swiatek was eliminated because she has a worse percentage of sets won. Aryna Sabalenka Accidentally Hits Cameraperson While Playing Football With Young Children Alongside Ons Jabeur in Riyadh (Watch Video).

Kasatkina replaced American Jessica Pegula, who withdrew from the tournament on Wednesday because of a left knee injury. “I'm professional enough to always give 100% no matter what the stakes are," Swiatek said. (AP)

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