Nosková routs Gauff to reach WTA Finals semis, Pegula keeps hopes alive

Linda Nosková became the first player to book a place in the semi-finals of the WTA Finals on Tuesday, beating Coco Gauff 6-3, 6-3 in one hour and 15 minutes at Indian Wells. Later in the day, Jessica Pegula bounced back from her opening defeat to beat Marta Kostyuk 6-2, 7-5, setting up a straight fight between the two Americans for the second spot from Group 1.

Nosková in control from the start

The 21-year-old Czech, seeded eighth and the reigning Wimbledon champion, has now won both of her round-robin matches without dropping a set. Against Gauff she took control early, opening up a double-break lead in the first set and reeling off five games in a row to take it. She broke the American five times in total, four of them in the opening set, according to reports.

Gauff, the 22-year-old who had won a three-set thriller against Pegula in her first match, never found a way back into the contest. Nosková sealed the win with her ninth ace of the match.

"Coco's a big competitor, so I was ready for everything to come my way today," Nosková said afterwards, as quoted by the Associated Press.

The result caps a remarkable debut week at the season finale for Nosková, who had opened her campaign with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Kostyuk.

Pegula survives a chaotic second set

Pegula needed a response after losing to Gauff, and she delivered one against Kostyuk, who had beaten her twice earlier this season, in Brisbane and Madrid. The first set went the American's way comfortably, but the second turned into a scramble: it began with four consecutive breaks of serve before Kostyuk held for 3-2, Reuters reported.

Pegula eventually steadied to close out the match in straight sets. The 2023 WTA Finals runner-up is now level with Gauff on one win and one defeat.

For Kostyuk, the week has been a short one. The Ukrainian only entered the draw as a late alternate after world No. 1 Elena Rybakina withdrew with a viral illness, and two defeats mean she is eliminated. She will still play her final group match for prize money and to avoid finishing 0-3.

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What Thursday brings

Group 1 concludes on Thursday with Nosková facing Pegula and Gauff taking on Kostyuk. With Nosková already through, the remaining semi-final place will go to either Gauff or Pegula, who both stand at 1-1. Gauff won their opening meeting 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-2, but according to Reuters, Pegula can still reach the last four with a victory over the unbeaten Czech.

In the other group, Aryna Sabalenka and Mirra Andreeva both won their opening matches, against Karolína Muchová and Elina Svitolina respectively.

Nosková, meanwhile, can play Thursday's match against Pegula with her place in the last four already secured, with a chance to finish the group stage unbeaten.