Coco Gauff beats Jessica Pegula in three sets to start 2026 WTA Finals

Coco Gauff defeated fellow American Jessica Pegula 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-2 in her opening match of the 2026 WTA Finals at Indian Wells.

The Match

Playing in Group 1 of the eight-woman round-robin draw, the 22-year-old fourth seed improved her career record against Pegula to 6-5 after a contest lasting two hours and 39 minutes. Gauff saved three break points while down 0-40 at 4-4 in the first set before breaking Pegula's serve in the next game to take the opener. Pegula responded by building a 5-1 lead in the second set, but Gauff won five games in a row to reach match point. Pegula fought back to force a tiebreak, winning it with a forehand return winner to level the match. In the deciding set, Gauff took the first three games and eventually secured victory on her third match point.

Player Reactions

"I was having a lot of fun today," Gauff said after the match, noting she had to run a lot and joked that bits of rubber from her shoes were left on the court. "I had a match point in the second set and I didn't get too down on myself. I think today, the key was just trying to be aggressive." According to BBC reporting, Gauff also noted she had played the tournament with no preparation following a break since early October, making her the youngest player to appear at five consecutive WTA Finals since Martina Hingis in 2000.

Upcoming Fixtures

In her next group match, Gauff will face eighth seed and reigning Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova, who defeated alternate Marta Kostyuk 6-2, 6-4. Pegula will play against Kostyuk, who entered the tournament as a late substitute after world number one Elena Rybakina withdrew due to a viral illness.

Context

Indian Wells Tennis Garden is hosting the year-end championships for the top eight players after the event moved from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, due to regional instability. The tournament will shift locations again next year to Charlotte, North Carolina.