Pegula saves match point to reach WTA Finals semi-finals as Gauff goes out

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Jessica Pegula survived a match point before defeating Linda Noskova 7–6 (2), 4–6, 7–5 at the WTA Finals in Indian Wells on Thursday. The victory secured the American a semi-final against Mirra Andreeva and ended Coco Gauff’s tournament.

Pegula needed to win after Gauff had beaten Marta Kostyuk earlier in the day. Her chances were in danger when Noskova moved a break ahead in the deciding set and later held a match point with Pegula serving at 4–5.

The American recovered to hold, broke in the next game and served out the contest, taking the final three games to complete a two-hour, 45-minute win. She produced a career-best 16 aces, while Noskova’s serving problems included 15 double faults.

The result left Noskova, Pegula and Gauff level on two wins and one defeat in Group 1. Their set records separated them: Noskova finished first at 5–2, Pegula second at 5–3 and Gauff third at 4–3. Noskova had already qualified, and taking the second set against Pegula guaranteed her top spot.

Gauff’s earlier 6–4, 7–5 win over Kostyuk had kept her hopes alive. Despite needing treatment during the match, she recovered from 5–1 down in the second set by winning six successive games. Kostyuk, who entered as an alternate after Elena Rybakina’s withdrawal through illness, finished without a group-stage victory.

For Pegula, this is a third appearance in the tournament’s semi-finals, following her runs in 2023 and 2025. The WTA said she is the first player to win a match at the event after saving match point since Simona Halep in 2019.

Saturday’s meeting with Andreeva will be their first on the WTA Tour. Noskova will face the winner of Friday’s remaining qualification contest between Aryna Sabalenka and Elina Svitolina.

Sources

• WTA: Official report on Pegula’s qualification and decisive comeback (2026-11-13)
• Reuters via WSAU: Results and three-way group tie-break explained
• BBC Sport via AOL: Independent report on Pegula’s win and Gauff’s elimination