Swiatek into semis at WTA Finals, Gauff eliminated after Kasatkina loss

Swiatek, who improved to 2-0 in this year's competition following her own 6-3 6-2 win over Caroline Garcia, goes through as the winner of her group, while Gauff can no longer qualify for the semi-finals

World number one Iga Swiatek qualified for the semi-finals at the WTA Finals in Fort Worth, Texas on Thursday after Daria Kasatkina beat American Coco Gauff 7-6(6) 6-3 in a round-robin stage match at the eight-player, season-ending tournament.

Swiatek, who improved to 2-0 in this year's competition following her own 6-3 6-2 win over Caroline Garcia, goes through as the winner of her group, while Gauff can no longer qualify for the semi-finals.

Gauff started the match strongly, roaring to a 4-1 lead, before Kasatkina fought back to level the first set at 5-5. Gauff's eyes welled up with tears during the changeover after she was then broken to fall behind 5-6.

The 18-year-old regrouped to break back and force a tiebreak, but Kasatkina once again showed grit to fight back from 3-0 down and claim the breaker 8-6.

Kasatkina, a WTA Finals debutante, kept up the pressure in the second set, trading a couple of breaks with Gauff, before breaking to take a 4-2 lead and then serving out the match a few games later.

"To win for the first time at the Finals is an incredible feeling," Kasatkina said.

"Obviously you want to win and go further in the tournament, so the motivation to win is there, but it's not easy to manage the nerves and I feel it. I hope I can make it (to the semi-finals) in the next match."