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Coco Gauff will fight for record prize money in the most lucrative final in history after defeating the world No. 1
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Coco Gauff will fight for record prize money in the most lucrative final in history after defeating the world No. 1

Coco Gauff is one win away from WTA Finals glory.

The 20-year-old surprised the world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals of the season-ending tournament in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to reach the championship match.

Gauff beat world No. 1 Sabalenka in the semifinals of the WTA Finals

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Gauff beat world No. 1 Sabalenka in the semifinals of the WTA FinalsCredit: Getty

She twice recovered from a break down to take the first set in a tie-break, before overcoming the second to claim a 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 victory.

With that sensational victory, Gauff Become the third player since 2010 to achieve victories over world Nos. 1 and 2 in the WTA Finals, after beating Iga Swiatek in the group stage.

Now you have the opportunity to do something that no one else has done in the last two decades.

Gauff is one win away from becoming the youngest WTA Finals champion since Maria Sharapova2004 title race.

She also became the youngest player to reach the championship match since Caroline Wozniacki in 2010, and the youngest to beat a No. 1-ranked star since Sharapova defeated Lindsay Davenport in 2004.

The American will face Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen for the title on Saturday, November 9.

Zheng advanced to the final after winning Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova 6-3, 7-5 in their quarterfinal clash.

Not only is the WTA Finals title at stake, but also a record amount of prize money.

Saturday’s winner will take home a whopping $4,805,000 – the largest prize money in the history of women’s professional tennis.

Making it to the final after finishing 2-1 in round-robin play, both Gauff and Zheng have already won $2,305,000 each in prize money, according to the official WTA Finals website.

Sabalenka congratulated Gauff after her victory in Riyadh

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Sabalenka congratulated Gauff after her victory in RiyadhCredit: Getty
Meanwhile, Zheng beat Wimbledon champion Krejcikova in her semi-final.

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Meanwhile, Zheng beat Wimbledon champion Krejcikova in her semi-final.Credit: Getty

The winner will also take home an additional $2.5 million, bringing the champion’s total haul to $4.8 million.

It will certainly be a close match between Gauff, who is ranked No. 3 in the world, and Zheng, who is ranked No. 7 in the world.

The pair have only met once before, on clay at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia earlier this year.

Gauff won that match 7-6, 6-1 and believes she can come out on top in Riyadh if she plays tennis with confidence.

“Zheng is also playing great tennis, but I just need to play with confidence, that will help me win,” she said after her semi-final victory against Sabalenka.

“I’m not nervous. Being here is a reward for the season I’ve had.”