Two sets, no debate
Linda Noskova keeps winning at Indian Wells, and she keeps doing it quickly. The 21-year-old Czech beat Coco Gauff 6-3 6-3 overnight to become the first player through to the semi-finals of the WTA Finals.
Gauff is ranked fourth in the world. Noskova, seeded eighth, never let that matter. It was her second straight-sets win of the week after opening her campaign against Marta Kostyuk, and she still has not dropped a set at the season finale. Two matches, two wins, a place in the last four secured with a round-robin match to spare.
She now sits alone at the top of Group One, the only player in it still unbeaten.
no renewal
Free for 2 weeks.
Pegula stays alive, Kostyuk goes home
The other match in Group One went to Jessica Pegula, who rebounded from her opening loss to Gauff by beating Kostyuk 6-2 7-5. Pegula broke in the very first game and broke again to take the opening set without much trouble. Kostyuk fought harder in the second and made Pegula work, but the American found a late break and served it out.
That loss eliminates Kostyuk, who came into the event as a replacement for world No 1 Elena Rybakina after Rybakina withdrew through illness. Two matches, two defeats.
What is left in Group One
Gauff and Pegula now both sit at one win and one loss, so the second semi-final ticket comes down to Thursday. Noskova faces Pegula, a match that matters far more to the American than to the already qualified Czech. Gauff plays Kostyuk, who has nothing left to play for but pride.
For Gauff, the scenario is simple at its core: beat Kostyuk and see what Pegula manages against the in-form Czech.
Discover the rest of our Tennis news on MathODDS!
in your pocket.
Real-time notifications & alerts
Leave a Reply