Jabeur defeats Pegula in Dallas, staves off elimination from WTA Finals group stage

US Open runner-up Ons Jabeur dug deep on Wednesday evening to avoid elimination from the WTA Finals, rallying from a set down to defeat Jessica Pegula.

The Tunisian kept her knockout stage qualification hopes alive by pulling off a remarkable 1-6 6-3 6-3 victory, improving to 3-0 in meetings against the American this year.

Pegula took the opening set by storm, winning 91% of points behind her first serve. In addition, the World No.3 never faced a break point, and capitalized on all three of her break point opportunities to race through the first set.

Nonetheless, Jabeur displayed the tenacity that has endeared her to the tennis community, fighting back in the second set. The Wimbledon finalist employed her signature slices and dop-shots to outmaneuver her opponent, engaging with the crowd as she clinched the second and forced a decider.

It was here that Jabeur's big-match experience showed off, with the World No.2 maintaining her composure as she saved five break points. Conversely, Pegula was unable to do the same, handing the Tunisian the vital break and match after an hour and 38 minutes.

Pegula is mathematically still alive in the Nancy Richey group, and will rely on the results of the match between Aryna Sabalenka and Maria Sakkari to determine her fate. Alternatively, Jabeur has boosted her chances of qualification from the group stage, having lost to Sabalenka in her opening group match.