Gauff rediscovers rhythm in Riyadh revival
Shaking off a shaky opener, Coco Gauff dominates Jasmine Paolini with cleaner serving and sharper tactics, positioning herself for a defining clash with Aryna Sabalenka at the WTA Finals.
In the buzzing arena of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where the fast indoor hard courts demand precision under bright lights, Coco Gauff delivered a 6-3, 6-2 masterclass against Jasmine Paolini, breathing new life into her title defense. The defending champion's strokes flowed with regained authority, her crosscourt forehands carving openings that pulled the Italian off balance and set up down-the-line winners. This victory, amid the season-ending stakes for the top eight, transformed the weight of her earlier loss into fuel for a confident push forward.
Serving sharpens after opener's chaos
Gauff's turnaround shone brightest on serve, where she limited herself to just three double-faults compared to the 17 that derailed her three-set defeat against Jessica Pegula. She varied her deliveries with kick serves that jammed Paolini's returns, transitioning seamlessly into one–two combinations that exploited the court's pace. The American's inside-out forehands stretched her opponent wide, creating space for aggressive net approaches and half-volleys that sealed points with authority.
Paolini countered with gritty underspin backhands to disrupt the rhythm, but Gauff's improved anticipation turned those efforts into extended rallies where her footwork and depth prevailed. The crowd's rising energy mirrored her growing assurance, each hold amplifying the psychological edge in the round-robin grind.
"Definitely a turnaround from my first match," Gauff said. "It's the beauty of this tournament and to have another chance to prove yourself."
Paolini pays price of doubles grind
Jasmine Paolini's movement betrayed the strain of her doubles partnership with Sara Errani, as her usual quickness dulled in the face of Gauff's relentless tempo. The Italian sprayed errors on crosscourt attempts, unable to match the depth that pinned her deep and forced labored retrievals. With two losses, her singles hopes ended, though her resilience in blending formats highlighted the event's taxing demands.
Gauff acknowledged the challenge, pointing out how the dual schedule sapped Paolini's edge without diminishing her fight. Brief flashes of net play, laced with slice volleys, tested the champion's responses, but overall, the mismatch in recovery favored the fresher player.
"I don't think Jasmine was 100% today," Gauff said. "Playing singles and doubles is not easy."
Sabalenka summit tests renewed fire
Now Gauff eyes top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka, who leads the group after a 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 win over Pegula, in a matchup that could clinch advancement. Sabalenka's booming inside-in forehands will clash against Gauff's agile variety, promising baseline wars where tactical poise meets raw power on these speedy courts. As the desert air thickens with tension, the American's revival sets the stage for a psychological battle, her steadied serve poised to unlock the path to semifinals and beyond.
