Swiatek knocked out of WTA Finals

RIYADH: Defending WTA Finals champion Iga Swiatek was eliminated from the season-ending championship after Barbora Krejcikova’s 7-5 6-4 win over Coco Gauff meant the Polish world No. 2 failed to advance to the last-four. Gauff was already guaranteed to make the semis, but five-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek needed the American to beat eighth-seeded Czech Krejcikova who required a victory herself to progress. The 13th-ranked Krejcikova took a tight first set, which lasted 54 minutes, after saving four break points, wrapping it up with a powerful backhand that zipped down the line. The second set was once again a close affair, but the Wimbledon champion held her nerve to secure the win in one hour and 42 minutes. “This is a big win for me,” the 27-year-old Krejcikova said.