The Spanish Masarova, out of qualification, tops the final in Auckland

Gauff defeated Danka Kovinic of Montenegrin 6-0, 6-2, while Masarova dispatched another elimination, Ysaline Bonaventure of Belgium, to win 6-3, 6-3.

Gauff, 18, has yet to drop a set in this WTA 250 tournament held in New Zealand and will be the heavy favorite in the final.

This will be the fourth final of Gauff’s young career, the first since her defeat in the Roland-Garros final to Polish world number one Iga Swiatek seven months ago.

“I didn’t expect this result before the tournament,” said the American.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better debut of the season, whatever Sunday’s result,” added one of the favorites for the forthcoming Australian Open.

Gauff, who also reached the quarterfinals of the US Open last year, has won two titles on the WTA circuit, in Linz in 2019 and in Parma in 2021.

Masarova, 23, will play her first WTA final after impressing with her great serve.

The Basle (Switzerland)-born Spaniard, like Roger Federer, has not dropped a set this week either, after starting with a win over second-seeded American Sloane Stephens in the first round.

The Spanish player, of a Slovakian father and Spanish mother, has decided to represent her mother’s country since 2018.

“Beating a good player can happen and it doesn’t mean anything, but doing it more times gives me more confidence,” said the Spaniard.

“I took things as they came. I felt good in qualifying and now it’s incredible. I’m full of emotions right now,” said the Spaniard.

– Auckland tournament:

– Single female. Semifinals:

Cori Gauff (US/#1) defeated Danka Kovinic (MNE/#7) 6-0, 6-2

Rebeka Masarova (ESP) and Ysaline Bonaventure (BEL) 6-3, 6-3

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