11/12/2026 09:05:00
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11/12 21:03 CST Jessica Pegula outlasts Linda Noskova in 3 sets at WTA Finals,
knocking out Coco Gauff
Jessica Pegula outlasts Linda Noskova in 3 sets at WTA Finals, knocking out
Coco Gauff
By BETH HARRIS
AP Sports Writer
INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (AP) --- Jessica Pegula isn't known as one of the WTA
Tour's big servers. Turns out deceptively mixing types of serves --- kick,
hard, flat --- can be enough of a weapon to set up her baseline game.
Pegula fired a career-high 16 aces and saved a match point before winning the
final three games to beat Linda Noskova 7-6 (2), 4-6, 7-5 in her round-robin
group at the WTA Finals on Thursday. The victory moved the American into the
semifinals to face Mirra Andreeva.
"Even with 16 aces, it just goes to show how good of a player she is because I
was still barely able to win the match," Pegula said. "I tried to keep her
guessing a little bit on the serve. I think that's why I got some free points
there."
Noskova had already advanced to the semifinals at the $10 million event in the
Southern California desert, which was moved from Saudi Arabia because of the
Iran war in the Middle East. She and Pegula went 2-1 in Group 1 play.
Pegula's victory knocked out Coco Gauff, her former doubles partner. Earlier,
Gauff rallied to win the final six games and beat Marta Kostyuk 6-4, 7-5 in
what turned out to be her final match of the year. Pegula lost to Gauff in
three sets in their opening match at the season-ending championships.
Noskova, the Wimbledon champion, led 5-4 and held a match point on Pegula's
serve in the third. But Pegula's serve bailed her out. She tied the set 5-all
with an ace.
"I've just gotten used to learning how to hit a lot of different serves," she
said. "If one serve isn't working, I do feel I have other options I can go to."
Pegula broke Noskova in the next game and closed out the match when a net cord
fell back on Noskova's side on her first match point.
All five of their career meetings have gone three sets.
"It was a battle ?til the end, as I expected," Noskova said. "I'm glad I found
my rhythm today, found my tennis. I'm glad I'm kind of improving and hopefully
it will be even better in the next one."
Gauff overcame serving issues and visits from a trainer to massage her back
during the match. It initially stiffened up in her first match.
Kostyuk raced to a 4-0 lead in in the second set, fighting off four break
points to hold in the second game. Twice, Gauff double-faulted away games. She
requested a trainer early in the set to work on her as she lay on her side
while Kostyuk walked over to sit on the advertising board and chat with her
team.
"I was just preparing to play a third (set) at that point," Gauff said.
Kostyuk led 5-1 before Gauff's comeback began. She fought off three break
points and hit a crosscourt forehand winner to trail 5-2.
Kostyuk's wrist began hurting in the first set and a trained tended to it.
"I couldn't really serve anymore," she said. "I couldn't even hit the ball
properly anymore, so I started to miss a lot. I was like, ?I have to finish
this match because it's just not fair, like for everyone, if I would just stop
here right now.'"
Gauff broke twice to tie the set at 5-5. Gauff held for a 6-5 lead and won the
match on Kostyuk's netted forehand.
"One game turned into another and I think she got a little bit frustrated too,
so that kind of helped me," Gauff said. "Once it was 5-all, I felt momentum was
on my side and I just needed to keep my foot on the gas."
Gauff led 5-2 in the first set before Kostyuk broke to close to 5-4. Gauff
broke back in the next game with a gutsy crosscourt backhand volley winner to
take the set.
Kostyuk got into the Finals as the first alternate after top-ranked Elena
Rybakina withdrew because of a viral illness. The 24-year-old Ukrainian went
0-3 in Group 1 play.
In doubles, Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend advanced to the semifinals.
They were leading 6-4, 4-2 when Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Cristina Bucsa
were forced to retire after Melichar-Martinez fell during a point and hurt her
knee.
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