Barbora Krejcikova saved a remarkable 11 out of 12 break points to defeat Coco Gauff 7-5 6-4 to advance to the semi-finals at the WTA Finals in Riyadh as the winner of the Orange Group and dump defending champion Iga Swiatek out.
Gauff was already guaranteed to make the semis, but world No 1 Swiatek needed the American to beat eighth-seeded Czech Krejcikova who required a victory herself to progress.
Swiatek had produced a ruthless performance to dismantle Daria Kasatkina in the earlier match, but her chances of progress depended on the second match, and her luck was out as Wimbledon champion Krejcikova battled to victory over Gauff, whose place in the last four was already secured.
The fantastic four in Riyadh…😤✨
All three women finished the group stage with two wins from three matches but Krejcikova, the lowest-ranked player at the tournament, topped the pool by virtue of the best sets percentage, with Swiatek the one to miss out.
Krejcikova will take on Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen in the last four on Friday, while Gauff meets world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
