Zheng Qinwen continued her breakthrough season with victory over Barbora Krejcikova to reach the final of the season-ending WTA Finals.
China’s Zheng reached the Australian Open final in January before clinching Olympic gold in the summer.
She now has a chance to secure another prestigious title after beating Wimbledon champion Krejcikova 6-3 7-5 in the semi-finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Zheng let a double-break lead in the second set slip before rediscovering her form to wrap up victory.
“It feels so special – to be in the final feels unbelievable,” the 22-year-old said.
“It was a hard match for me but it shows I am mentally strong in that moment.”
She will face either world number one Aryna Sabalenka – who beat her in the round-robin stages earlier in the week – or Coco Gauff on Saturday.
Zheng is only the second Asian player to reach the final after her idol Li Na in 2013.
Crowds have been mixed at the tournament but Zheng has been a consistent draw in Saudi Arabia, with a large number of Chinese fans cheering her on against Krejcikova.
Her game is simple: a big serve, followed up by an equally thumping groundstroke, which initially worked to great effect against Krejcikova.
She moved well around the court, bullying Krejcikova out of rallies before the Czech took advantage of a dip in her form to force the second set back to 3-3.
Zheng grew increasingly frustrated – not helped by her service game twice being held up by a crying baby – and her shots grew wilder, but she kept herself in touching distance of Krejcikova.
A thunderous backhand return of serve gave Zheng break point at 5-5, and she duly took it on a long Krejcikova forehand to serve for the match.
Although Krejcikova again pushed her, with Zheng having to fend off another break point, she ultimately claimed a straight-set win as the Czech went wide with a forehand.
