Coco Gauff has arrange a semi-final assembly with world No. 1 Iga Swiatek after beating fellow American Madison Keys on the Dubai Obligation Free Tennis Championships.
Gauff beat her compatriot 6-2 7-5 of their quarter-final conflict to succeed in her third semi-final on the WTA 1000 degree or larger.
A shaky begin from Keys noticed Gauff dominate the primary set, however the world No. 23 challenged nicely within the second and led 5-4, however a poor recreation allowed the 18-year-old to retire as Keys completed with 51. unapplied errors.
Gauff will now face Swiatek within the final 4, the highest seed having been eradicated after opponent Karolina Pliskova was dominated out by sickness.
This would be the sixth time the duo have met, together with within the Roland Garros ultimate final yr, and Gauff is but to win a set of their final 5 encounters.
Earlier than dealing with Swiatek, Gauff stated: “All 5 instances I did one thing fallacious! To be trustworthy, she performs good tennis and there is a motive why she’s world No. 1.
“I’ve no stress. I simply need to play my recreation – I actually assume I’ve improved for the reason that final time I performed her.
“The standings are only a quantity on the finish of the day. You simply need to step onto the pitch believing you’ll be able to win, and that is what I’ll do.”
Aryna Sabalenka noticed her undefeated begin to the yr ended by Barbora Krejcikova
Czech Barbora Krejcikova got here again from a set and a break to earn a surprising 0-6 7-6 (7-2) 6-1 victory over Aryna Sabalenka and finish her 13-0 begin to the yr.
“I used to be simply combating,” Krejcikova stated. “There’s not a lot you’ll be able to change as a result of she performs nicely, she serves nicely, she hits actually onerous.
“I used to be simply making an attempt to get into his rhythm, I used to be simply making an attempt, I do not know, possibly to be a bit extra aggressive as a result of in any other case it is onerous to do the rest.”
Krejcikova will face Jessica Pegula within the semi-finals with the advance of the American when Karolina Muchova withdrew with an stomach harm.
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