Coco Gauff powers past Jessica Pegula in WTA Finals opener
Coco Gauff overcame Jessica Pegula 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2 with a dominant third-set display to open her WTA Finals campaign. The world number four took the opener and recovered from 5-1 down in the second to come within a point of winning in straight sets.
Coco Gauff secured a dominant third-set performance to defeat Jessica Pegula 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2 in the opener of the WTA Finals. The world number four bounced back from a 5-1 deficit in the second set and came within a point of victory before Pegula's remarkable tie-break saved the day. Gauff's second win against Pegula followed two hours and 39 minutes of grueling play.
Following a recent radio 'hot mic' incident which saw the world number five disparage her fellow player Mirra Andreeva, Pegula apologized profusely to the WTA, who admitted they had failed to inform players microphones were active. The two-time Grand Slam champion demonstrated her resilience, fighting back with five straight games, including three set points.
The pair had previously faced each other ten times, with this fourth encounter occurring at the WTA Finals. Earlier, Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova claimed her debut win with a 6-2, 6-4 triumph over alternate Marta Kostyuk, who was brought in late after top seed Elena Rybakina withdrew due to illness.
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