Coco Gauff v Qinwen Zheng: Prediction, Tips and Odds

The WTA Finals conclude on Saturday, with Coco Gauff and Qinwen Zheng meeting in Riyadh to decide the last title of the season.

Gauff came through the Orange Group, defeating Iga Swiatek and Jessica Pegula and losing to Barbora Krejcikova, before beating Aryna Sabalenka 7-6 6-3 in the semi-finals.

She will now take on Olympic champion Zheng, who beat Sara Paolini and Elena Rybakina and lost to Sabalenka in the Purple Group, before battling past Krejcikova 6-3 7-5.

This will be the pair's second career meeting, but her improvements in the second half of the year suggest the Chinese player could get revenge on her American opponent.

Coco Gauff v Qinwen Zheng betting tips and predictions

Qinwen Zheng to win 2-1 - 15/4

It has been a landmark season for Zheng, not only winning Olympic gold, but also finishing as runner-up to Sabalenka at the Australian Open and defending her title in Palermo in July, before beating Sofia Kenan to win October's Pan Pacific Open.

The Chinese player has spoken about how her 2024 rise has shown her not just how tough it can be to get to the top 10, but also the mental strength required to stay there.

Zheng demonstrated that fortitude against Krejcikova when, despite leading 6-3 3-0, she admitted to losing focus, allowing the Czech to win four games in a row. 

While previously she may have frozen, the word number seven says she stayed calm, regained her composure and sealed her 6-3 7-5 success.

The 22-year-old has won more matches than any other player since Wimbledon (31) and winning the WTA Finals would be a real statement.

Gauff also has real claims. The 20-year-old is the youngest finalist since Caroline Wozniacki in 2010 and would become the youngest winner since a 17-year-old Maria Sharapova triumphed in 2004.  

The American produced a massive performance to overcome world number one Sabalenka, firing down 14 winners and her fierce defence contributed to the Belarusian making 47 unforced errors. 

Gauff served well and converted six of 11 break points and has won 12 of 14 matches since Emma Navarro ended her US Open title defence in the last-16, including winning the China Open, while her 52 victories this year is a career best.

However, claiming win number 53 might be problematic. The victory over Sabalenka may have taken too much out of the world number three and Zheng could triumph.

Gauff won the duo's previous meeting 7-6 6-1 in the quarter-finals in Rome, but her opponent has improved significantly since then.

She has shown real grit in the second half of 2024 and could battle to a three-set victory.

Qinwen Zheng 10+ aces - 6/5

Zheng fired down nine aces against Krejcikova to take her tally to the season to 406, the best on this year's WTA Tour and by some distance, with Rybakina next in line on 336.

It is an obvious weapon for the Chinese player and, with her 77.3% service game win ratio, it is one she can rely on.

Being able to overpower a tired opponent can take both a physical and mental toll, which Gauff could struggle to deal with.

The American is a battler, though, and with the match expected to go the distance, there is a real opportunity for Zheng to record 10+ aces.

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Coco Gauff v Qinwen Zheng odds

Coco Gauff - 8/15
Qinwen Zheng - 6/4

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.