MATCH REPORT | 2023 WTA FINALS: Jessica PEGULA demolishes good friend Coco GAUFF in semis and advances to the final
WTA
Jessica
Pegula was once again unstoppable as she defeated Coco Gauff 6-2, 6-1 to reach
the final of the WTA Finals.
The top two
American female tennis players met for the fourth time in their careers, aiming
to reach their first WTA Finals final. They both qualified for the tournament
that gathers the year's top eight players for the second year in a row.
However, in the previous edition, they each faced three losses and were
eliminated during the Round Robin stage.
This year,
the story was different as Jessica Pegula defeated Elena Rybakina (4th), Aryna
Sabalenka (1st), and Maria Sakkari (8th) to advance as the leader of her group.
On the other hand, Coco Gauff secured victories against Ons Jabeur (7th) and
Marketa Vondrousova (7th) but suffered a loss to Iga Swiatek (2nd), advancing
as the second-place finisher in the group.
Pegula
secured the first break of the match in just the second game, although a few
minutes later, Gauff broke back to level the score at 2-2. However, that was
the only moment when the recent US Open champion showed resistance in the set,
as she lost four consecutive games, and Pegula took a 6-2 lead in 31 minutes.
Just like
in her match against Vondrousova, Gauff struggled with unforced errors,
committing 17 of them with only 4 winners, which were far behind Pegula's 9
unforced errors and 7 winners.
The second
set was interrupted by rain when Pegula was leading 2-0. Upon the resumption,
Pegula kept her foot on the gas and soon secured a second break, taking a 4-1
lead when another rain delay occurred.
With strong
winds affecting the play, Gauff played the second set more conservatively to
avoid unforced errors, but this allowed Pegula to take the initiative in the
points and be more aggressive in the rallies.
In the
return to the court, Gauff had a break opportunity but couldn't capitalize on
it. Eventually, Pegula took advantage of her opponent's mistakes to secure the
third consecutive break and the match with a score of 6-2, 6-1.
The
29-year-old athlete is now awaiting her opponent, who will be either world No.
1 Aryna Sabalenka or No. 2 Iga Swiatek. Pegula is the first American finalist
in the tournament since 2018 when Sloane Stephens was the runner-up after
losing to Elina Svitolina.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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