Pegula books WTA semis with comeback win

Jessica Pegula used her veteran’s skill to get out of trouble at the WTA Finals, with the 31-year-old saving a match point and sweeping the last three games to reach the final four in Indian Wells.

The American saved her chances at the year-end event in California at 6-5 in the third set as she secured securing her place in the semifinals of the year-end championships with a 7-6 (2), 4-6, 7-5 victory 

Success in nearly three hours against Wimbledon winner Linda Noskova made her the first competitor at the year-end event to save a match point since Simona Halep in 2019/

“I just kept telling myself, ‘This could be your last match for the year, so go out and compete, and you can hold your head high for the rest of the year,” Pegula said.

“But I definitely wanted another chance to still be here,” she said after reaching the semis for the third time at the wrapup tournament.

Her tight victory shut out rival Coco Gauff, who won her group match but missed out on a spot in the final four in the Californian desert.

Gauff beat Marta Kostyuk 6-4, 7-5 but lost out in the math calculations of the group scenario.

Pegula advanced with 16 aces despite feeling under-done prior to the match.   

“It wasn’t feeling that great the first few days here, but it was feeling better the last couple days in practice.

“At times, I don’t think either of us were serving that great. Our first-serve percentages were pretty low.”

Pegula booked a semi against Mirra Andreeva just days after privately calling the French Open champion  “diva” in a practice court conversation with her coach picked up by hidden microphones.

Noskova, who won top spot in her group, will next take on Elina Svitolina.