Krejcikova Knocks Out Gauff To Reach Semis

Krejcikova knocks out Gauff 7-5, 6-4 to reach semis at season-ending championships

Barbora Krejcikova, from the Czech Republic, won her first grand slam title at the French Open in 2021. The following year, she reached a career-high rank of #2, but injuries curtailed her time at the top.

After a two-month layoff this past spring due to a back injury, she tore through the draw at the All England Club and won her second grand slam title, defeating Jasmine Paolini in three thrilling sets.

Although she did not qualify for the WTA Finals with a top-eight ranking, the twenty-eight-year-old earned the final spot as a grand slam champion with a top-twenty ranking. Currently ranked #13, she is seeded 8th in Riyadh. She lost her opening round-robin match to Iga Swiatek in a tight three-setter then dispatched Jessica Pegula in straights.  

Coco Gauff, from the United States, is ranked #3 and seeded #3. In her first two matches, the twenty-year-old defeated compatriot Pegula and world #2 Swiatek in straights for the loss of twelve games.

This was the second tour-level meeting between grand slam champions. Krejcikova won in straights on the dirt in the quarters in Paris en route to her first grand slam title.

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Gauff won the toss and elected to serve. She made 4/6 first serves including an ace up the tee for 1-0 while Krejcikova made 3/4 first serves including an ace out wide to level.

Gauff struck two consecutive aces and held easily to 15 for 2-1 while Krejcikova made 3/5 first serves and held to 15 for parity. The American hit her fourth ace but faced break point and dumped serve after two consecutive forehand errors.

The reigning Wimbledon champion missed 4/6 first serves but managed to consolidate the break for 4-2 when her opponent netted the return. The world #3 gifted her first double fault and faced two deuce points but held for 3-4 with well-struck serves including two additional aces.

Krejcikova opened the eighth with a spectacular forehand down the line and held for 5-3 when Gauff netted a forehand approach. The 2023 US Open champion served to stay in the set and with three tremendous aces, held for 4-5.

With pressure percolating and Gauff unloading off the ground, the 8th seed donated four unforced errors and dropped serve. Gauff missed 3/4 first serves including a double fault and was broken at love.

Krejcikova once again served for the set and was tested. Although she faced three…