WTA Finals: Coco Gauff makes history with dramatic victory over Zheng Qinwen in thrilling final

Coco Gauff survived a remarkable Zheng Qinwen to claim her first WTA Finals title. The 2023 US Open champion was behind for much of the match, but managed to stay alive and finish with an incredible win, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(2).

The American becomes the youngest player to win the title since Maria Sharapova in 2004. This is Gauff's second victory over Zheng and she ensured finishing the season at No. 3, behind only Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka.

Zheng (22) and Gauff (20) made history by playing the youngest WTA Finals final since Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova in 2004. From the start, Zheng served first and faced her first break point, but kept her composure to pull through. Gauff appeared more relaxed in the early games and created three more break points in the fifth game, where Zheng saved all three, including two in thrilling rallies.

As the match progressed, it seemed likely to extend to a tiebreak, as neither showed signs of weakness. At 4-4, Gauff had a dip in consistency, giving her opponent three break points, and with a double fault, handed Zheng the advantage. Zheng had some shaky moments with her serve but closed out the set 6-3.

In the second set, Gauff’s frustration was evident, having played well in the first set but losing due to minor details in Zheng’s favor. The world No. 7 broke early and quickly took a 2-0 lead, looking poised to chase the title.

As usual, Gauff didn’t give up. Starting from the fifth game, Zheng struggled to capitalize on her lead, while Gauff found her stride, winning 16 of the next 20 points, including four consecutive games, going from 1-3 to 5-3. The American served for the set but made errors, squandering two set points, and Zheng broke back. Although Zheng seemed to be staging a comeback in the set, Gauff ultimately broke again, capitalizing on the momentum, and took the set on her third set point, 6-3.

The third set began in Zheng’s favor after two double faults from Gauff in the first game, giving Zheng an early break. She then struggled but managed to hold her serve for a 2-0 lead. Gauff won the next three games consecutively, and at 3-3. Zheng took the lead and was ahead 5-3. Although she served to take the match, she was unable to close out the match and it was all square at 5-5.

Gauff had two match points with Zheng's serve, but the Chinese player saved them and sent everything to a tie-break.  Probably one of the most thrilling finals in WTA Finals history, as it was the first time a champion was decided in a third-set tie-break. Coco Gauff claimed the title with an outstanding performance, closing the win 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(2).

Undoubtedly, Zheng's lack of experience in these types of situations played a role, as during the key moments, Gauff kept her composure, while the 22-year-old Chinese player made unforced errors.