Jessica Pegula saved match point to beat Linda Noskova 7-6 (7-2), 4-6, 7-5, securing a place in the WTA Finals semi-finals at the expense of Coco Gauff. Pegula knew she had to defeat Noskova to progress, after Gauff had earlier beaten Marta Kostyuk on Thursday.
Noskova led the third set with a break advantage and held match point on Pegula's serve at 5-4, but failed to convert it. Pegula served 16 aces during the match, the most she has ever recorded in a WTA Tour match. Noskova, meanwhile, committed 15 double faults alongside nine aces.
Noskova had already secured her place in the semi-finals before this encounter, where she will play either Elina Svitolina or Aryna Sabalenka on Saturday. Pegula will face French Open champion Mirra Andreeva in the semi-finals for the first time. Before the tournament began, the president of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) apologised to Pegula after her private comments directed at Andreeva's coach during a training session were broadcast live.
Gauff fought through injury to beat Kostyuk. She received treatment for her lower back mid-match and quickly found herself trailing 5-1 in the second set. However, she recovered to win six games in a row to take the match 6-4, 7-5. Gauff told Sky Sports: "I was not at my physical level, which I am not used to. It was a mental challenge, learning how to play through it."
Kostyuk received treatment for a wrist injury that has plagued her since August. Gauff struggled with her serve throughout the encounter, recording nine double faults and one ace. Kostyuk was subsequently called up for the season finale after Elena Rybakina withdrew. Gauff came back from an early deficit with a break to win the first set. She called for her physiotherapist after falling behind 3-0, but soon found herself down by a double break, with Kostyuk saving three break points in the interim. This is the second time Gauff has come back from a 5-1 deficit at this tournament, after doing the same against Pegula on Sunday.
