Jessica Pegula Saves Match Point to Reach WTA Finals Semi-Finals

Posted : 13 November 2026

Jessica Pegula produced a determined performance to overcome Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova in three sets, securing her place in the WTA Finals semi-finals while ending Coco Gauff's hopes of reaching the last four.

The American, ranked fifth in the world, recovered from a difficult situation to claim a 7-6(2), 4-6, 7-5 victory in their final Group 1 round-robin encounter on Thursday. Pegula also recorded a career-best 16 aces during the two-hour, 45-minute contest.

The result proved decisive for the group's qualification battle, as Gauff was eliminated despite earlier defeating Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk 6-4, 7-5. Pegula needed a victory to progress, while Noskova had already secured her semi-final place after winning her first two group matches.

Speaking after the match, Pegula acknowledged the quality of her opponent and explained that she expected another closely contested encounter based on their previous meetings.

Noskova appeared to have the advantage for much of the deciding set and came within one point of completing the victory. However, Pegula saved the match point with an aggressive serve before holding her serve with an ace to level the set at 5-5.

The American then broke Noskova in the following game before successfully serving out the match on her first opportunity, completing an impressive comeback.

Pegula's victory was particularly significant because Noskova had already guaranteed qualification and was aiming to complete the group stage with an unbeaten record. Despite losing, the Czech finished top of Group 1 with a 2-1 record.

Pegula also finished with two victories and one defeat, but advanced as the group's runner-up. Gauff recorded the same win-loss record but missed out because of the set percentage tiebreak, having won four sets compared with Noskova's five and Pegula's five.

The result ended Gauff's campaign despite her impressive recovery against Kostyuk earlier in the day. The American had fought back from 5-1 down in the second set to win six consecutive games and complete a straight-sets victory.

Pegula will now face Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva in Saturday's semi-final. The encounter will attract additional attention following comments Pegula made about Andreeva during a practice session that were inadvertently captured on a livestream. Pegula subsequently apologised, while Andreeva indicated that she considered the matter resolved.

Meanwhile, Noskova will face the runner-up from Group 2, with the final qualification position to be decided by the match between world number two Aryna Sabalenka and Ukraine's Elina Svitolina.

Pegula's victory therefore sets up an intriguing semi-final as she continues her pursuit of the WTA Finals title.

Jessica Pegula Saves Match Point to Reach WTA Finals Semi-Finals

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