Coco Gauff of the U.S. recovered to defeat Zheng Qinwen of China 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(2) to lift the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Finals women's singles trophy for the first time in her career in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday.

Gauff, 20, became the first American champion since Serena Williams a decade ago and the youngest winner of the tournament since Maria Sharapova of Russia in 2004.

Having finished as the runner-up in her first WTA Finals, Zheng, 22, matched Li Na for the best result achieved by any Chinese player at the season-ending program. She has also locked in as world No. 5.

Zheng has clinched five straight games after the first set was tied 3-3, taking the set to lead 1-0 in the match and sitting on a 2-0 lead in the second. Both managed to hold their service games after that, but then Gauff rallied to take four games in a row and led 5-3. Though Zheng broke her opponent in the ninth game, Gauff returned the favor in the 10th to claim the set and put the battle back at 1-1.

The third set grew more open as both players converted two break points in the first 12 games, taking the competition to a tiebreak. Gauff's solid returning ability earned her a 6-0 advantage in the decisive battle and she secured the final victory.

"I was just trying my best to hang in there and I never gave up," Gauff said. "It was a really great match. Qinwen played some unbelievable tennis. I was just telling myself, 'it's another point, another chance'. I've been in situations like this in the past and have been able to turn it around ... and was able to do it again today."

"Yeah, I mean it's not a bad match, especially, you know, I see clearly why I lost the match," Zheng said. "And then there is a few, you know, a lot of chances during the match, especially I'm the one mostly who's leading, and I give the chance away. But, you know, it's tennis, it sometimes can happen and nothing to say. You come back, you put your energy on and then come back for next time."