INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — Jessica Pegula may not rank among the top servers on the WTA Tour, but her ability to cleverly mix serve types—kick, hard, and flat—has become a powerful asset that enhances her baseline play.
In an impressive display, Pegula unleashed a career-best 16 aces and saved a match point before winning the final three games to clinch a hard-fought 7-6 (2), 4-6, 7-5 victory over Linda Noskova in her round-robin group at the WTA Finals on Thursday. This win secured her spot in the semifinals, where she will face off against Mirra Andreeva.
“Even with 16 aces, it shows just how incredible a player she is because I barely managed to win,” Pegula reflected. “I aimed to keep her guessing on my serves, which helped me secure some free points.”
Noskova had already booked her place in the semifinals of the prestigious $10 million event in Southern California, relocated from Saudi Arabia due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Both Noskova and Pegula concluded their Group 1 matches with records of 2-1.
Pegula’s triumph inadvertently ended Coco Gauff’s run, her former doubles partner. Earlier, Gauff rallied from behind to win her match against Marta Kostyuk 6-4, 7-5, marking her final clash of the season. Pegula had faced Gauff in their initial match at the championships, losing in three sets.
Noskova, the Wimbledon champion, led the third set 5-4 and even held a match point against Pegula’s serve. However, Pegula’s serve came to the rescue, and she equalized at 5-all with an ace.
“I’ve adapted to hitting various kinds of serves,” Pegula stated. “If one style isn’t effective, I have plenty of alternatives to rely on.”
Pegula broke Noskova in the following game and sealed her victory when a net cord fell fortuitously back on Noskova’s side during her first match point.
All five of their previous encounters have extended to three-set battles.
“It was a fight until the very end, just as I anticipated,” Noskova remarked. “I’m pleased to have found my rhythm today and improved my game. I hope to build on this for the next match.”
Gauff overcame serving difficulties and sought assistance from a trainer, who massaged her back throughout the match after it stiffened during her first match.
Kostyuk jumped to a commanding 4-0 lead in the second set, fighting off four break points to hold her serve in the second game. Gauff struggled with double faults, prompting her to request a trainer to alleviate discomfort while Kostyuk took a seat near her team.
“At that moment, I was bracing myself for a third set,” Gauff reflected.
Kostyuk led 5-1 before Gauff launched her comeback, successfully fending off three break points and striking an impressive crosscourt forehand winner to close the gap at 5-2.
Kostyuk, battling wrist pain since the first set, received treatment for it.
“I couldn’t serve effectively anymore,” she admitted. “Hitting the ball properly became challenging, and I knew I had to finish the match out of respect for everyone involved.”
Gauff secured two breaks to level the set at 5-5, then held serve for a 6-5 lead, ultimately clinching the match when Kostyuk netted a forehand.
“The momentum shifted with each game, and I sensed her frustration, which played to my advantage,” Gauff said. “Once it reached 5-all, I felt the wind at my back, and I just needed to keep pushing forward.”
Gauff had been ahead 5-2 in the first set but endured a break from Kostyuk that got the latter closer at 5-4. Gauff responded strongly by breaking back with a courageous crosscourt backhand volley winner to take the set.
Kostyuk entered the Finals as the first alternate after the top-seeded Elena Rybakina withdrew due to a viral illness. The 24-year-old Ukrainian finished the group stage with a 0-3 record.
In doubles action, Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend advanced to the semifinals after leading 6-4, 4-2 when Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Cristina Bucsa were unfortunately forced to retire due to an injury sustained by Melichar-Martinez during a point.
