“Coco’s entire game is to disrupt you”: Jessica Pegula reveals secret behind opening win at WTA Finals

Jessica Pegula couldn’t have asked for a better start to her WTA Finals 2025 campaign in Riyadh. The American No. 3 edged compatriot and defending champion Coco Gauff 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-2 in a tense, high-quality duel that lasted over two hours. While Gauff struggled with her serve—committing 17 double faults—Pegula remained composed and efficient when it mattered most, delivering a composed performance that showcased her trademark consistency and tactical awareness.

For Pegula, the victory was not just about the scoreboard but about the way she executed under pressure. “Coco’s entire game is about disrupting you—she’s so fast and makes you play so many balls,” she explained to Tennis Channel after the match. “Even in the second set, I felt I had chances. She served really well at times, got free points, but I just wanted to stay focused in the third. I knew what I had to do, and it was about keeping that balance between being aggressive and not overplaying.”

That balance proved decisive. Pegula’s controlled aggression and ability to redirect Gauff’s pace allowed her to dictate the rallies more often in the decider. Despite the second-set tiebreak slipping away, Pegula never wavered mentally. “It’s tough because against a great champion like Coco, you have to execute everything perfectly. She makes you earn every point,” the world No. 5 reflected. “But I felt confident in my plan and trusted my game.”

It was the perfect response to her disappointment in the Wuhan final just three weeks ago, where Gauff had prevailed. The 31-year-old admitted that the change in conditions played in her favour this time. “Wuhan is slow and gritty, and I came into that final after a bunch of three-set matches,” she said. “Here in Riyadh there’s a bit of altitude, the ball skids more, and I think that helped me. I’m fresher now, and I knew exactly what I needed to do differently.”

With this win, Pegula joins Aryna Sabalenka at the top of the Steffi Graf Group after Day Two. Sabalenka currently leads the standings thanks to her 6-3, 6-1 win over Jasmine Paolini, while Pegula sits second on game differential. The two group leaders are set for a blockbuster clash on Tuesday, November 4th, in a match that could decide who advances to the semifinals. Meanwhile, Gauff and Paolini face must-win situations to keep their hopes alive.

The stats underline the story of the match: Pegula won 70% of her first-serve points and broke Gauff nine times, exploiting her opponent’s 17 double faults and inconsistency on second serve. Despite serving five aces of her own, Pegula’s success came primarily from her composure and clean shot selection. In contrast, Gauff’s risky serving left her exposed under pressure, and Pegula capitalized on nearly every opportunity.

Off the court, Pegula showed her typical humour when asked about her reputation among fellow players for “ghosting” text messages. Laughing, she admitted: “Even Iga was like, ‘That’s not right!’ Amanda [Anisimova] actually apologized to me and said she didn’t mean to call me out. I told her, ‘It’s not that serious—I don’t really care.’ But Coco wasn’t wrong. She said she’ll let it go in 2026!”

With her WTA Finals campaign off to a winning start, Pegula seems relaxed, focused, and enjoying her tennis. “It’s a great feeling to start with a win, especially against someone like Coco,” she said. “I’m just glad I was able to execute my plan and keep my focus throughout.”

Her next challenge will be this Tuesday against World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, against whom she has a 3-8 head-to-head record. Sabalenka has won the last five consecutive matchups, including the last three during this season. Furthermore, it will be their third encounter at the WTA Finals, with Sabalenka triumphing in 2022, while Pegula claimed the victory in 2023. This time, the winner will have their place in the semifinals in Riyadh practically secured.