Pegula saves match point to beat Noskova and eliminate Gauff at WTA Finals

Jessica Pegula saved a match point to win 7-6 (2), 4-6, 7-5 against Linda Noskova on Thursday night in Indian Wells, California.

The victory advanced Pegula to the semifinals of the WTA Finals, a season-ending event paying out $10 million in total prize money. The tournament was relocated from Saudi Arabia to the Southern California desert due to the ongoing Iran war in the Middle East.

Pegula's win eliminated Coco Gauff from the competition, ending the American's year. Gauff had lost to Pegula in three sets during their opening group match earlier in the tournament. Noskova, the Wimbledon champion, had already secured her semifinal spot before the match began.

In the third set, Noskova led 5-4 and held a match point on Pegula's serve. Pegula responded by serving an ace to tie the set at 5-all. She finished the match when a net cord fell back onto Noskova's side during Pegula's first match point. Pegula recorded a career-high 16 aces throughout the contest.

"I feel like no one's really given me credit for that stat," Pegula said regarding her serving performance. "I've turned it around this year."

Earlier on Thursday, Gauff defeated Marta Kostyuk 6-4, 7-5 in her final match of the year. Gauff faced physical difficulties during the match, requiring a trainer to massage her back and administering a painkiller. She initially led 5-2 in the first set before Kostyuk broke to close the gap.

Kostyuk, a 24-year-old Ukrainian who entered the event as the first alternate after Elena Rybakina withdrew with a viral illness, raced to a 5-1 lead in the second set. Kostyuk struggled with wrist pain, stating she could not serve properly. Gauff broke serve twice to tie the set at 5-5 and closed out the match on Kostyuk's netted forehand.

"Once it was 5-all, I felt momentum was on my side and I just needed to keep my foot on the gas," Gauff said. Kostyuk finished the tournament with a 0-3 record in Group 1 play.