WTA Finals Day 7 Preview & Schedule: Sabalenka-Gauff in highly anticipated clash, Zheng and Krejcikova with an invaluable opportunity

The seventh day of the WTA Finals will bring the semifinals, featuring the four players who surpassed the Round Robin phase. Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff will headline the day with a clash that feels like an early final. Meanwhile, Barbora Krejcikova and Zheng Qinwen have avoided the top seeds, giving them a promising path to the final.

In an unexpected twist on Thursday, Krejcikova took control of the Orange Group after defeating Coco Gauff, pushing her to the second position (which also led to Iga Swiatek’s elimination). Thus, the Czech player avoided Sabalenka (who leads the Purple Group) and will face China’s Zheng, who won their only previous encounter.

An unexpected semifinal showdown, especially as Krejcikova seemed closer to elimination just a day ago. However, the Czech player surprised everyone with a notable win over Coco Gauff (7-5, 6-4), advancing as group leader and knocking out defending champion Iga Swiatek.

At the start of the tournament, Krejcikova seemed to be one of the less in-form players, with much of her season’s points coming from Wimbledon and a 7-7 record on hard courts this season. Yet her experience has helped her hold her ground against the world’s best players without getting rattled. Known for her returning skills and effective backhand, she beat Americans Gauff and Jessica Pegula.

It won’t be easy against Zheng Qinwen, who began the tournament with a loss to Sabalenka but rebounded with straight-set victories over Elena Rybakina and Jasmine Paolini. The 2024 Paris Olympic gold medalist has gained momentum, securing her spot as World No. 6 and eyeing a prime opportunity against Krejcikova in an open match.

Both players will surely be pleased to avoid Sabalenka and Gauff until a potential final, as Zheng and Krejcikova head into this match with no clear favorite. Although the Chinese player has been one of the most in-form players towards the season’s end, she has far less experience in high-stakes matches than Krejcikova, which may be decisive under pressure.

One factor that’s cost Zheng in her losses to Sabalenka (three in the last two months) has been her first serve percentage, which has often dropped to around 50%. Facing the pressure of a match of this magnitude could affect the 22-year-old, who tends to make errors when she can’t control the game—an area Krejcikova could exploit.

This matchup is a final in all but name, especially as Gauff seemed poised to lead her group after the last day of play and avoid Aryna Sabalenka until the final. However, a surprise loss to Krejcikova relegated the American to second place, setting up a semifinal clash with the World No. 1.

Gauff delivered a strong debut performance against Jessica Pegula with a comfortable win, followed by her second-ever victory in 13 matches against Iga Swiatek. The match was filled with unforced errors from both players, including 11 double faults from the American. Against Krejcikova, Gauff showed strong first-serve effectiveness (61%, winning 68% of points), but her lack of consistency in key moments cost her the match, along with 40 unforced errors in just two sets.

The 2023 US Open champion had 12 break opportunities but only converted one, while Krejcikova capitalized on three out of four, beating Gauff in straight sets to top the group. Gauff has shown improvement in recent weeks since changing coaches, and although unforced errors remain an issue, she’s considered one of the strongest challengers against the inspired Sabalenka.

The Belarusian remains the favorite. Securing the year-end No. 1 ranking, she won two Grand Slams and two WTA 1000 titles and has displayed great form throughout the tournament. Straightforward wins over Zheng Qinwen and Jasmine Paolini ensured her spot as group leader. However, she was upset by Elena Rybakina, who elevated her game in their match, showing that Sabalenka is not unbeatable.

Their head-to-head record stands at 4-4, with Sabalenka winning their two matches this year in the Australian Open and Wuhan Open semifinals. In fact, Gauff’s last victory over Sabalenka was in the 2023 US Open final.