RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Aryna Sabalenka clinched the year-end No. 1 spot in the women's rankings for the first time when Iga Swiatek lost at the WTA Finals on Tuesday.

Coco Gauff beat defending champion Iga Swiatek 6-3 6-4 at the WTA Finals in Riyadh on Tuesday to reach the semi-finals and ensure Aryna Sabalenka would finish the year as world number one.

From start to finish, Aryna Sabalenka was the best tennis player this year. Sabalenka's dominant season was bookmarked with Australian Open and US Open titles, with plenty of winning in between. While she is still competing in the WTA Finals in Riyadh,