Coco Gauff stays just about in contention at the 2025 WTA Finals with the American finding her way past Jasmine Paolini to keep her title hopes alive in Riyadh.
Gauff won through 6-3, 6-2 and it was an important win in particular as it was straight sets which can only help her late cause when it comes to wanting to qualify for the knockout stage. Albeit Sabalenka who faces Pegula is next up for Gauff in what could in theory be a straight shootout if Pegula beats Sabalenka later.
If Sabalenka wins, she sits on two wins and Gauff will have to hope for Pegula to lose against Paolini and go head-to-head with her on the standings in order to move through. So while it is not insurmountable, the early loss to Pegula could still come back to bite the World No.3.
While Paolini after such a late dash to even get into the tournament has ended with two losses to Sabalenka and Gauff, albeit given her doubles prowess it isn't like Keys who feasibly given she is also unwell could still withdraw from the tournament before her final match.
Tale of the tape
She is still involved in the doubles in which she has always been qualified and while it is very much an unfortunate end to the year for Paolini, she was in perhaps the tougher of the two groups with Sabalenka, Gauff and Pegula all of whom are usually consistent and their blips are few and far between.
Albeit in the tie between Gauff and Paolini, their blips were very much often in the first set. Between them there were 45 unforced errors in 40 minutes of tennis as Gauff raced into a 4-1 lead but it wasn't exactly easy. Both faced long games of arduous tennis and errors with multiple break points as Gauff faced a late storm of Paolini breaking to make it 4-3.
But as was the tentative nature of the tie, Gauff managed to break back to make it 5-3 after being 0-40 down at one point taking it to advantage. But then she rampantly shut the door to end the set.
Set two was better from both but more of a war of attrition as Gauff made it 3-2 breaking serve after being 40-30 down and she managed to make it 4-2 from there holding serve. But the nail in the coffin was hammered as Gauff broke again with Paolini running out of resolve and despite having break points next time around, the Italian fell and couldn't mount a comeback. Gauff moves into a vital game on Thursday.
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- After a couple decades traveling to IIHF tourneys overseas... our family is done with it... and I will not be the only one!! Bad enough the NHL allows Ovachenko (a Putin Supporter and Campaigner) to live and play in the USA. Let's not forget the STATE SPONSORED RUSSIAN DOPING PROGRAMS still in effect today.
mandoist31-10-2026 - Osaka's mental state apparently does not allow her to reach any more Quarter Finals? I mean, she doesn't really have the time for tennis with all the pre-planning that must go into her 12 year-old "fashion" goals.mandoist29-10-2026
- With her money one would think she could afford a better team of Psychiatrists?mandoist29-10-2026
- Boss move, Sinner !Rapunzel27-10-2026
- Apparently still refusing to seek 'help' ...and still playing Dress-Up like a 10 year-old.mandoist27-10-2026
- Lena... Takin' care of businessmandoist25-10-2026
- Can you please stop publishing this nonsense? Stick to Tennis.mandoist25-10-2026
- Does Sinner need that 4.5 mil? I doubt it. He can make that with three modelling gigs!😅🤣Rapunzel21-10-2026
- Did "People Magazine" purchase this website? This nonstop storyline is bullshit.mandoist21-10-2026
- Listen... this is of no concern to anyone but these two. Deal with your own issues -- most of us have our own. Thanks, media, for these insignificant follow-ups which are meaningless.mandoist21-10-2026
