WTA Finals: Swiatek routs Kasatkina but does not make semi-final cut
The Pole needed Gauff to beat Krejcikova to advance to the semi-finals
Iga Swiatek – WTA Finals 2024
Image Credit: Chine Nouvelle /SIPA
World No 2 Iga Swiatek put on her most impressive performance of the week by beating Russia’s Daria Kasatkina in her final group match at the WTA Finals in Riyadh but the Pole’s hopes of making the semi-finals were dashed after Barbora Krejcikova defeated Coco Gauff in the final group match on Thursday.
After going 1-1 in her first two group matches, Swiatek scored a comprehensive 6-1, 6-0 win over Kasatkina, who came in as an alternate after American Jessica Pegula pulled out of the tournament due to injury.
With the win, Swiatek improves to 6-1 lifetime against the Russian. It was her sixth consecutive win over Kasatkina and all of them have come in straight sets.
Qualifying scenarios for Group Purple with Swiatek, Krejcikova in hunt for last semi-final spot
Playing her first tournament since joining forces with coach Win Fissette, Swiatek nedded Gauff, who was already assured of a semi-final berth, to beat Krejcikova so that she can advance to the semi-finals from the Purple Group.
However, with Krejcikova beating Gauff on straight sets, both the players along with Swiatek were tied with two wins and one loss in the group stage.
Krejcikova topped the group with a better percentage of sets won, followed by Gauff, leaving Swiatek out.
