WTA Finals: Iga Swiatek brushes past Coco Gauff to close in on semi-finals – ‘Happy I could problem solve’

Iga Swiatek put one foot in the semi-finals of the WTA Finals in Cancun by beating Coco Gauff in straight sets.

The world No. 2 ousted the US Open champion in style with a 6-0 7-5 victory in Mexico, taking her record to 2-0 at the round-robin stage.

Swiatek faces Ons Jabeur on Friday for her final group match, and while she isn’t yet mathematically ensured of a place in the last four, she is in a very strong position.

“In the second set, obviously, it got tighter,” Swiatek told reporters.

“I was happy I stayed focused. I had plenty of chances in her first service games to break back, but I knew somehow I would use one of those chances.”

She added: “I would say this match wasn’t consistent, in terms of the level. For sure, adjusting to everything that happened was the most important thing. It took me a while because I was a break down in the second set.

“I’m happy that I could actually problem solve a little the way to win these last games. And the key was, maybe being confident and mentally not focusing on the score, but really just sticking with the plan that worked in the first set.”

Swiatek’s win saw her continue a superb record against Gauff, who she has now beaten nine times in 10 meetings.

Each of those victories has come in straight sets and it was a familiar story for the world No. 3 when she dropped an opening-set bagel set in 28 minutes to get off to a disastrous start.

The 19-year-old recovered in the second to make it more of a contest, racing into a 3-1 lead after earning an early break.

Gauff went on to serve for the set, but a nightmare run of four double-faults in a row handed Swiatek the break-back on a plate.

Swiatek seized the initiative from then on, clinching three breaks in a row to swing the set back in her favour and win the match in 79 minutes.

Eighth seed Maria Sakkari (0-2) is already out ahead of her closing match against Pegula.