[Gauff Erases 5‑1 Deficit to Defeat Noskova, Advances to WTA Finals]
Early in the match, Gauff displayed her tenacity as she overcame an injury to defeat Kostyuk.
Midway through the contest, Gauff was treated for a lower‑back injury, resulting in a 5‑1 deficit in the second set.
Still, the world No. 4 rallied and won consecutive games, sealing a 6‑4, 7‑5 victory.
“Physically, I wasn’t at my best, which I’m not accustomed to,” Gauff told Sky Sports.
“It felt like a mental challenge—learning how to push through that fatigue,” she added.
The demanding season has impacted several competitors, including Ukraine’s Kostyuk, who has been dealing with a wrist injury since August.
This marks the second occasion this major where Gauff has erased a 5‑1 gap, having achieved the feat only days earlier by defeating Pegula on Sunday.
Despite this, the 22‑year‑old admitted she had not anticipated the same comeback and was already gearing up for a decisive third set.
“During a brief intermission at 5‑2 down, Gauff asked her physiotherapist how to loosen up during a bathroom break,” she explained.
The intermission simply didn’t exist,” she replied, noting the lack of a break.
Throughout the rally, Gauff faced serve issues, delivering nine double faults to a single ace, and she later mentioned difficulty flowing through her motions without pain.
Kostyuk, a late‑call‑up after Elena Rybakina’s withdrawal, also battled to produce pace and spin due to her wrist injury.
The world No. 4 bounced back from an early break to win the first set, but soon encountered difficulties in the second.
After falling 3‑0 down, Gauff called for her trainer, but eventually trailed by two breaks while Kostyuk saved three break points.
Nevertheless, despite limited mobility and a supportive crowd, Gauff generated powerful strokes and ultimately outlasted Kostyuk.