Coco Gauff WTA Finals win over Jessica Pegula, Digi Mart USA News (Indian Wells, California): Coco Gauff is seeking to win a second WTA Finals title in Indian Wells this week. The American took the first step toward that goal after beating Jessica Pegula on Sunday evening.
In a back-and-forth affair, Gauff eventually triumphed 6-4, 6-7, 6-2 in California. Following the contest, former world number nine Andrea Petkovic and Brad Gilbert praised the 22-year-old American star.
Petkovic said on the Big T Podcast that she had a good view of Gauff from a seat next to Garbine Muguruza, the tournament director, and noticed a telling moment. Gauff came back from 5-5 and then 6-5 in the second set, returning to break Pegula’s serve, which she had already broken twice, to win the match in a very important game.
At 6-5 in the second set, Pegula hit a fairly good wide first serve, and Gauff missed a forehand return. Petkovic said she could read Gauff’s lips as the American turned around, clapped, and said to herself, “That was a good serve.” Petkovic said this offered insight into Gauff’s mindset, since most players, including herself, would have reacted with frustration about missing the return.
Gilbert, the former coach of Andre Agassi, Andy Murray and Coco Gauff, also highlighted her resilience. He pointed to a hold at 4-4 in the first set, when Gauff recovered from 0-40, and noted that she battled back from 5-1 down in the second set to put herself in position to close it out.
Gilbert said he believes fitness will be a factor in the tournament, noting that many players compete for six to eight weeks in Asia on outdoor hard courts, while the event was played on the same surface in temperatures near 90 degrees.
Gilbert added that players who have not competed in three weeks cannot fully simulate match play, and that Pegula’s legs appeared weary toward the end of the match.
Gauff will next look to secure a place in the semi-finals when she faces Marta Kostyuk and Linda Noskova later this week. The two-time Grand Slam champion has a 2-1 record against Noskova and a 4-2 record against Kostyuk.
Gauff is set to play Kostyuk on Tuesday, following the conclusion of Pegula’s match against Noskova.
Pegula was made to work hard by Gauff on Sunday, and the 22-year-old again showed why she is one of the most dogged players on the WTA Tour. According to OptaAce, Gauff has tied Pegula for the most three-set victories this year, with both players winning 19 three-set matches in 2026.
Gauff and Pegula could meet again before the end of 2026, but both would need to reach the final of the WTA Finals to do so. Realistically, after losing on Sunday, Pegula will need to defeat Marta Kostyuk on Tuesday to have any chance of advancing to the semi-finals in California.
