Coco Gauff admitted that she entered the Jasmine Paolini match decided to get a win just because she didn't need to repeat her 2022 WTA Finals destiny.
After selecting up a three-set defeat to Jessica Pegula in her opening Riyadh match, Gauff wanted to beat Paolini to maintain her probabilities of qualifying for the semifinal stage. And she or he managed to take action after registering a 6-3 6-2 win over the Italian tennis star.
For Gauff, that is her fourth consecutive WTA Finals look. In her debut on the prestigious season-ending event in 2022 in Fort Value, the American went 0-3. In her subsequent two appearances, the 21-year-old reached the occasion's semifinal in 2023 earlier than successful the title final yr.
"I used to be simply attempting to play relaxed. I performed a WTA Finals the place I misplaced all three matches [in 2022], so I used to be decided to not make this a repeat of that. I knew that right this moment's win was vital to maintain myself within the event," the world No. 3 admitted.
Coco Gauff on beating Jasmine Paolini in Riyadh
“I performed a WTA Finals the place I misplaced like all 3 matches. I used to be decided to not make a repeat of that. 😂 I do know right this moment’s win was vital to maintain myself within the event. If I misplaced, I might’ve been out”
pic.twitter.com/lqut09ImhY
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 4, 2025
Gauff now has to beat Aryna Sabalenka
Sabalenka leads the Stefanie Graf Group with a 2-0 report, Gauff and Pegula stand at a 1-1 report, whereas Paolini has been eradicated after shedding her opening two matches.
On Thursday, Gauff will conflict in opposition to Sabalenka for the primary time since beating the Belarusian within the French Open last. And it will likely be one other crucial match for the American in opposition to the Belarusian since she must beat the world No. 1.
