Pegula Saves Match Point to Edge Noskova and End Gauff’s WTA Finals Run

Pegula’s victory in the final Group One round-robin match eliminated fellow American Gauff from the season-ending championships.

Published On 13 Nov 202613 Nov 2026

Jessica Pegula fended off a match point to claim a hard-fought 7-6 (7/2), 4-6, 7-5 victory over Linda Noskova on Thursday, securing her place in the knockout stage at the WTA Finals and ending Coco Gauff’s campaign at the season finale.

Pegula fired 16 aces — a career best — while Wimbledon champion Noskova committed a career-worst 15 double faults in a fluctuating contest that lasted two hours and 45 minutes. The tournament was relocated from Riyadh to Indian Wells owing to the United States-Israel war on Iran.

“I’ve learned that some days the serve feels great and other days it doesn’t, and part of the job is managing those days and making the most of it when things click,” Pegula told reporters.

“I didn’t serve particularly well in my opening couple of matches, but I served really well today. Sometimes there’s no explanation for it.”

The result left Noskova, Gauff and Pegula all level at 2-1 in the group, with alternate Marta Kostyuk finishing on 0-3.

Noskova topped the standings on a 5-2 set record, ahead of Pegula at 5-3 and Gauff at 4-3.

Pegula will now face Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva for the first time in Saturday’s semifinals.

“It’s the matchup everyone wanted — and now they’re going to get it,” Pegula said.

Pegula had earlier described Andreeva as “a diva” who “needs to be humbled,” unaware that her remarks were being streamed live during a practice session ahead of the tournament. In the same comments she also praised the world No 3, and she later apologised to those involved.

“She’s quick, she has a big serve, she’s physically strong, she strikes the ball hard, and she’s a smart competitor,” Pegula said on Thursday.

“I’m going to give it my best.”

Gauff fights back against Kostyuk, but exits

Earlier, Gauff came from behind to defeat Kostyuk 6-4, 7-5 on a sun-drenched Stadium Two.

Having closed out the opening set with a reflex volley that brought the crowd to its feet beneath clear desert skies, Gauff recovered from 1-5 down in the second, reeling off six straight games.

“I was fully ready for a third set out there,” said Gauff, who received treatment for a back issue during the second set.

“It’s the last event of the year, so I just wanted to finish on a strong note and give myself the best possible shot at the semifinals. Whatever happened, I didn’t want to walk off court feeling disappointed.”

Kostyuk, a Madrid champion and French Open semifinalist this season, arrived at her match against Gauff already out of contention after losses to Noskova and Pegula.

She entered the eight-player field as an alternate following top-ranked Elena Rybakina’s withdrawal through illness, and managed to take just one set across her three matches while contending with a wrist injury.

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