In an exciting turn of events, No.7 Coco Gauff reached her first WTA 1000 final after defeating No.1 Iga Swiatek in the Western & Southern Open semifinals on Saturday, August 19. With a match score of 7-6(2), 3-6, 6-4, Gauff claimed her first victory over Swiatek after losing to her in seven previous clashes.
Gauff came into the showdown determined to reverse the pattern. Since their last faceoff at Roland Garros, Gauff had strengthened her gameplay, particularly with serving and forehand and fiercely matched Swiatek from the baseline.
An intense first set saw Swiatek capitalizing on a weak service game from Gauff to serve out the set at 5-3. Gauff battled back, breaking Swiatek’s serve and clutching onto the tiebreak with a lead of 4-0 after Swiatek made three unforced errors.
Although Swiatek’s powerful forehand had been decisive in previous meetings, her over 20 errors in the first set, compared to Gauff’s 10 winners drastically reduced its effectiveness. Swiatek adjusted her strategy in the second set, aiming for fewer errors by hitting safer targets and controlling the court with her backhand.
The final set started with Swiatek holding the momentum, but Gauff did not falter. When Gauff was serving at 3-2, 30-all, she skillfully shut down Swiatek’s opportunity with a decisive backhand winner and broke Swiatek’s serve in the following game. Despite Swiatek’s efforts to put pressure on Gauff, the American teenager stayed resolute and held her ground with three unreturnable serves.
The climax came when Gauff was serving for the win at 5-4. Even after Swiatek managed to save two match points and earn a break point, it was Gauff who emerged victorious, closing out the match on her fourth match point. With this win, Gauff now looks towards her first WTA 1000 final, where she will face either No.2 Aryna Sabalenka or French Open finalist Karolina Muchova.
