Riyadh
Gauff beats Paolini to level Saudi record
Holder Coco Gauff got her WTA Finals defence back to level-pegging on Tuesday as the American defeated Jasmine Paolini 6-3, 6-2.
Gauff squared her record at the year-ender after losing her opening group match on Sunday in three sets to compatriot Jessica Pegula.
The loss in 80 minutes knocked Italy’s Paolini out of title contention according to WTA calculations.
Gauffl managed victory with 14 winners and a massive 30 unforced errors. The American continues to be plagued by errors after losing to Pegula at the weekend thanks in part to 45 unforced errors including 17 double-faults.
Her win over Paolini showed some improvement in those numbers; the Italian with a pair of 2024 Grand Slam singles finals remains alive in the doubles here with Sara Errani.,
Paolini had defeated Gauff in three of four previous meetings this season, with Gauff winning their October meeting in Wuhan as she earned that Chinese title.