Aryna Sabalenka is into the WTA Finals semi-finals, but will Iga Swiatek join her?

But there is still a route for Swiatek to make the last four as she looks to defend her title.

What does Swiatek need to advance from the group stage and what does Gauff need to do in her final match to ensure she wins the group?

There are two certainties before the final round of matches in the Orange Group at the WTA Finals on Thursday: Gauff has qualified and Jessica Pegula is eliminated.

Pegula cannot advance to the semi-finals after losing her first two matches to Barbora Krejcikova and Gauff respectively. But Pegula could still have a say on who makes it out of the group as she faces Swiatek in her last match.

The other match in the group sees Gauff, who is 2-0, face Krejcikova.

Gauff is guaranteed a top-two place but could finish top or second.

WTA Finals Orange Group standings

Coco Gauff – Gauff is qualified and has her destiny in her own hands after beating Swiatek for just the second time in 13 meetings.

A win against Krejcikova for Gauff will ensure she tops the group and therefore avoid a semi-final against world No. 1 Sabalenka, who has won the Purple Group.

Gauff would also finish in top spot if she loses to Krejcikova in three sets AND Swiatek beats Pegula.

That set of results would see Gauff, Krejcikova and Swiatek all finish with 2-1 records. However, Gauff would be top based on the percentage of sets won.

Iga Swiatek – Swiatek needs help to reach the semi-finals.

To advance, the world No. 2 must beat Pegula AND Gauff must also win.

That scenario would see Swiatek come in second place and face Sabalenka in the semi-finals.

Swiatek can’t advance if Krejcikova wins, as that would leave three players with 2-1 records and Swiatek – even if she wins in straight sets and Krejcikova wins in three – would have the worst percentage of sets won after winning her first match in three sets and then losing in straight sets to Gauff.

Barbora Krejcikova – After losing her opening match against Swiatek, Krejcikova put herself into contention for a semi-final spot by beating Pegula.

If Krejcikova wins her final match against Gauff, she will reach the semi-finals and eliminate Swiatek.

Krejcikova can finish top and avoid Sabalenka in the semis if she beats Gauff in straight sets AND Swiatek overcomes Pegula.

If Krejcikova beats Gauff in three sets she would also win the group if Pegula beats Swiatek, as the tie-breaker would be the head-to-head record between Krejcikova and Gauff.

If Krejcikova wins in three and Swiatek also wins, then Krejcikova qualifies in second behind Gauff.

If Krejcikova loses, she can still qualify for the semi-finals if Pegula beats Swiatek.

She hasn’t looked in top form so far in Riyadh and after needing three sets in her opening match, she was second best against Gauff.

“For sure I wasn’t solid enough, and Coco used her opportunities much better than I did,” said Swiatek after the match.

“I had some break points that I didn’t win. And for sure, I made more unforced errors. And when you play Coco, you know you need to be solid. Even though our head to head was more positive for me, it’s still never easy to win against her.

“So today, for sure, she was a better player and I’m going to try to adjust a bit better in my next match, and try to do some stuff tomorrow, practice more to play better.”