Gauff stirred some controversy among fans when she lost to Krejcikova in her final group stage match after beating world No. 2 Iga Swiatek and fellow American Jessica Pegula. The loss eliminated Swiatek and some fans felt Gauff lost on purpose.

The tie-break was a solo performance by Gauff, who dominated her rival mentally and physically to sensationally close the season with a deserved victory given what was seen at the WTA Finals in Riyadh.

RIYADH: Coco Gauff won the WTA Finals for the first time by rallying to beat Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (2) in the final on Saturday. The 20-year-old American came from 2-0 and 5-3 down in the final set and was two points from defeat at one stage.