Coco Gauff Opens WTA Finals with Win over Jessica Pegula at Indian Wells
Gauff improved to 6-5 against Pegula after a three-set win in her WTA Finals debut, while Linda Noskova also opened with a straight-sets victory.
- On Sunday, American Coco Gauff defeated fellow American Jessica Pegula 6-4, 6-7 , 6-2 in her opening match of the 2026 WTA Finals at Indian Wells Tennis Garden in California.
- Instability in the Middle East prompted the event's relocation to Indian Wells, California, after world number one Elena Rybakina withdrew citing a viral illness; Marta Kostyuk replaced her in the tournament.
- Gauff, the 2024 champion, displayed versatility over two hours, 39 minutes, improving her career record against Pegula to 6-5 with strong baseline play throughout the match.
- Czech Linda Noskova secured a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Kostyuk in her WTA Finals debut, dominating with consistent baseline pressure and 20 winners to advance from Group 1.
- Competitors are vying for a share of the $10 million prize pool, with an undefeated singles champion earning $3.37 million and 1,500 ranking points in the round-robin format.
22 Articles
22 Articles
WTA Finals: Gauff bests Pegula in thrilling clash, Noskova beats Kostyuk
Coco Gauff survived a tough test from Jessica Pegula 6-4 6-7(5) 6-2 on the first day of round-robin play at the WTA Finals on Sunday, as Czech Linda Noskova cruised past Marta Kostyuk 6-2 6-4 in Indian Wells.
The Bakersfield Californian
The Hamilton SpectatorCoco Gauff opens WTA Finals with win over Jessica Pegula at Indian Wells
INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (AP) — Coco Gauff defeated fellow American Jessica Pegula 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-2 in her first match of the 2026 WTA Finals on Sunday.
United States Open Champion of 2023 and Roland Garros in 2025, Gauff came to be down 5-1 in the second set, but saved three manga points in the tenth game and chained five consecutive games to place 6-5 up. Pegula reacted strongly, saved a match point and maintained his service in the twelfth game to force a tie-breaker in which he took a 5-2 lead before matching the match. Gauff regained control in the decisive sleeve by advancing 3-0 and no lo…
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