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11/12 19:37 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 saved a match point while winning
the final three games to beat Linda Noskova 7-6 (2), 4-6, 7-5 in her
round-robin group and advance to the semifinals of the WTA Finals on Thursday
night.
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 fired a career-high
16 aces, including one that tied the set, 5-all.
"I feel like no one's really given me credit for that stat," Pegula said. "I've
turned it around this year."
She broke Noskova in the next game and closed out the match when a net cord
fell back on Noskova's side on Pegula's first match point.
Pegula converted just one of seven break points in the 50-minute second set.
Gauff overcame serving issues and visits from a trainer to massage her back
during the match. It initially stiffened up in her first match and bothers her
on serves and forehands. She received a painkiller.
"I think it's kicking in now," she said, laughing afterward, "so I feel good."
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.
___
See AP's full tennis coverage here
