Noskova breaks Gauff five times to become first WTA Finals semi-finalist
The Wimbledon champion beat the fourth seed 6-3, 6-3 in 75 minutes at Indian Wells to go 2-0 in Group 1. Gauff must now beat the eliminated Marta Kostyuk on Thursday to join her.
Linda Noskova, WTA Finals 2026 | © Charles Baus/CSM/Shutterstock/SIPA
Czech eighth seed Linda Noskova beat American fourth seed Coco Gauff 6-3, 6-3 in 75 minutes in Group 1 of the WTA Finals in Indian Wells on Tuesday, becoming the first player to clinch a semi-final spot. The Wimbledon champion, 2-0 in the group, will face Jessica Pegula on Thursday, while Gauff plays the already eliminated Marta Kostyuk.
The 21-year-old, who won her first Grand Slam title in July, is the youngest player to reach the semi-finals on her WTA Finals debut since Petra Kvitova in 2011, according to the WTA. She is also the first No. 8 seed to win her first two round-robin matches since Anett Kontaveit in 2021.
“First of all, I did not even know I was in the semis, to start with that,” Noskova said. “Right after the match finished, I was already focusing on how I’m going to play Jessie in two days.”
How Noskova beat Gauff
Noskova did the damage on return. She broke Gauff five times, four of them in the opening set, converting five of her nine break points, and won 18 of the 24 points played on the American’s second serve. She built a 4-1 lead in both sets.
After taking the first set, she won five games in a row to lead 3-0 in the second, and sealed the win with her ninth ace, on match point. Gauff hit more winners, 11 to five, but also made 18 unforced errors and eight double faults.
Noskova faces Pegula next
Noskova has now beaten Gauff in both of their meetings this season, after losing their first two. She has also won three of her four meetings with Pegula, and says qualification will not change her approach on Thursday.
“So not much really changes for me. I still want to win. I still want to get whatever score, whatever win possible. I’m not really playing the math here.”
Linda Noskova
Gauff, playing her fifth consecutive WTA Finals, needs to beat Kostyuk to reach the semi-finals. “I wish I started off serving a little bit better,” she said. “She was starting up a break a lot, and it’s much easier to serve when you’re up a break.”
WTA Finals Group 1: provisional standings
Gauff ranks ahead of Pegula after beating her 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-2 on Sunday. Earlier on Tuesday, Pegula beat Kostyuk 6-2, 7-5. On Thursday, Noskova plays Pegula and Gauff plays Kostyuk. The top two reach the semi-finals on Saturday.
