CNN
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Coco Gauff was trying to become the first teenager to win the WTA Finals since 2004, but she was defeated in the semi-finals by fellow American and doubles partner Jessica Pegula. Ended in failure.
Fifth seed Pegula needed just an hour to defeat the 19-year-old US Open champion 6-2 6-1 in Cancun, Mexico.
“I managed to get my act together at the end of the year,” Pegula told reporters. “I’ve adapted well to the situation that I got here.”
“I found a way to make it work,” she added. “I’m confident going into the finals.”
Pegula will face world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka or No. 2 seed Iga Swiatek in the final. The semi-finals were suspended after three games on Saturday due to rain and will resume on Sunday, meaning the final has been moved to Monday.
Sabalenka or Świątek will meet a player in Cancun who has yet to lose a match and enters the finals with a 4-0 record, with three of those wins coming against higher-ranked opponents.
Her victory over Gauff was her second in three matches against her compatriot. The 29-year-old outplayed his opponent in testing conditions – it rained in the second set and was windy throughout – breaking Gauff six times and making just 11 unforced errors (Gaoff total 25 unforced errors occurred).
According to the WTA, Gauff will become the first teenager to win the event since Maria Sharapova in 2004. That year, 17-year-old Sharapova defeated Serena Williams in the final.
“This is probably my most important final ever,” Pegula said. “That will give me confidence for next year.”
Goff and Pegula will return to action on Sunday to compete in doubles for a spot in the semifinals. The Americans led 6-3 1-1 when their round-robin match against Laura Sigmund and Vera Zvonnarava was paused on Friday.