Coco Gauff kept her hopes of reaching the last four of the WTA Finals alive after defeating Jasmine Paolini in straight sets.

The reigning champions won 6-3 6-2 in an hour and 20 minutes, eliminating Paolini from the tournament in the process.

Gauff broke Paolini’s serve at the first time of asking before saving break points of her own on her way to a 4-1 lead in the first.

Paolini rallied back to 4-3 but failed to convert three set points as Gauff broke back before securing the first, serving to love.

It was an even start to the second, but Gauff then showed her quality as she secured back-to-back breaks to bring a much-needed win within reach.

Paolini, who was visibly frustrated in Riyadh, missed the chance to break back in the final game as Gauff clinched victory with her first match point.

The defending champion is on the board! @CocoGauff defeats Paolini 6-3, 6-2 and secures her first group win. #WTAFinalsRiyadh pic.twitter.com/BOdeFbSsqp

— wta (@WTA) November 4, 2025

Data Debrief: Baby-faced top 10 assassin

Gauff has now claimed her 10th WTA top 10 win of 2025, surpassing 2023 (nine) for her outright career-high for such wins in a calendar year.

In the past decade, Gauff is just the second player aged 21 or under to claim 10 WTA top 10 wins in a single season, after Iga Swiatek (2022).

She is also the youngest American to achieve this feat in a season since Serena Williams (20 years 243 days) in 2002.