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42 minutes ago
Coco Gauff eliminated Jasmine Paolini in an impressive straight-set win to ensure she remains in contention at the WTA Finals in Riyadh.
Defending champion Gauff recorded 17 double faults and made 75 unforced errors in her opening defeat by Jessica Pegula on Sunday.
But the American world number three demonstrated her title credentials with a statement victory two days later, beating Paolini 6-3 6-2 before her final group match on Thursday against world number one Aryna Sabalenka.
“I’m really happy with how I played today, it was definitely a turnaround from my first match,” said 21-year-old Gauff.
“It’s the beauty of this tournament that you have another chance to prove yourself.”
Sabalenka and American fifth seed Jessica Pegula will both aim to qualify from the Stefanie Graf Group when they meet later on Tuesday.
The leading eight women’s players in singles and doubles are competing in Saudi Arabia, with the tournament having £12m ($15.5m) in prize money.
Elena Rybakina became the first player to confirm her place in the knockout stages by defeating world number two Iga Swiatek in the Serena Williams Group on Monday.
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7 hours ago
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French Open champion Gauff reset admirably following her scrappy display against Pegula and reasserted herself as a title challenger with this solid performance.
She produced just three double faults and reduced her total unforced errors by over half (30), with her more consistent serving in particular providing a significant confidence boost before her meeting with Sabalenka.
Displaying calmness and confidence from the back of the court, Gauff appeared largely in control after taking charge of the opening set.
After breaking world number eight Paolini to love at the first opportunity, Gauff withstood three break points to establish a commanding 3-0 lead – and struck back immediately when the Italian offered a response, before serving out the set.
With 29-year-old Paolini’s resistance fading, Gauff converted the first break point of the second set following a superb forehand winner, before sealing victory with a dominant five-game streak.
“I was just trying to play relaxed,” said Gauff. “I played a WTA Finals where I lost all three matches and I was determined to not make a repeat of that.
“I know today was important to keep myself in the tournament.”
