WTA Finals: Pegula thrashes Gauff to reach final as Sabalenka v Swiatek delayed by rain

Jessica Pegula continued her superb form at the WTA Finals on Saturday by thrashing fellow American and doubles partner Coco Gauff 6-2, 6-1 to reach the final in Cancun, Mexico.

The other semi-final - a heavyweight contest between world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka and second-ranked Iga Swiatek - was suspended because of rain.

Sabalenka and Swiatek had played just three games when rain blew in, halting a match between players fighting for the year-end No 1 ranking.

If Australian Open champion Sabalenka wins, she will finish the year top of the rankings, but if French Open champion Swiatek advances and goes on to claim the title she will regain the No 1 spot.

Whoever wins will have to get past a red-hot Pegula, who has not lost a set on the outdoor hardcourts in Cancun, following impressive group-stage wins over Elena Rybakina, Maria Sakkari, and Sabalenka.

Pegula then shook off a late rain delay and windy conditions to dispatch US Open champion Gauff in an hour.

"I executed what I wanted to do really well," Pegula said. "In the windy conditions, I think it worked even better.

"I was just trying not to get frustrated with my serve or returns or any funky kind of points that we had and just to keep my feet moving."

There was no respite for Sabalenka and Swiatek from the weather that has wreaked havoc all week at the tournament.

They were on serve with Swiatek up 2-1 in the opening set when showers started, the players remaining on the court wrapped in towels amid hopes they would get underway again soon.

However, heavier rain saw them sent to the locker room, officials calling a halt to the night shortly after 10pm local time.

Sabalenka beat Swiatek in last year's WTA Finals semi-finals and has split two clay meetings with the