Pegula knocks out alternate Kostyuk to stay in WTA Finals semi-final race
The American bounced back from her opening loss to Coco Gauff with a 6-2, 7-5 win at Indian Wells, recovering from 5-4 down in the second set. Kostyuk, called up as an alternate, is eliminated.
Marta Kostyuk, 2026 | © Imago / PsNewz
Jessica Pegula kept her WTA Finals campaign alive on Tuesday, beating Marta Kostyuk 6-2, 7-5 in Group 1 at Indian Wells. Two days after missing a match point against Coco Gauff, the fifth seed closed out the match by winning the last three games.
The straight-sets defeat eliminates Kostyuk, who was called up as an alternate when defending champion Elena Rybakina withdrew, and who lost her opener to Linda Noskova.
Pegula turns the second set around
Pegula dominated the first set on Stadium 1. Kostyuk raised her level in the second and led 5-4, but the American took the last three games to close it out.
Kostyuk served five aces to Pegula’s one, but also made nine double faults to Pegula’s two, and won only five of her 15 second-serve points. Pegula converted five of her 11 break points and lost serve only twice.
Revenge for Pegula
The result ended a run of two straight defeats against the Ukrainian. Kostyuk had beaten Pegula 6-0, 6-3 in the Brisbane semi-finals in January, then 6-1, 6-4 in Madrid in April. Pegula now leads their head-to-head 5-3.
Kostyuk, who has been struggling with a right wrist injury, has now lost six matches in a row, a run that includes a retirement in Ningbo.
Noskova next for Pegula
Pegula will face Noskova on Thursday in her final round-robin match. Her chances of reaching the semi-finals also depend on the result of Gauff against Noskova, later on Tuesday. If Gauff wins, she will advance as group winner, and Pegula and Noskova will play for the second semi-final spot.
The week in Indian Wells has also been marked off the court by the hot mic incident in which Pegula was recorded criticizing Mirra Andreeva during practice.
WTA Finals Group 1: provisional standings
| Player | Wins-losses | Sets | Games |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Linda Noskova (CZE) | 1-0 | 2-0 | 12-6 |
| 2. Coco Gauff (USA) | 1-0 | 2-1 | 18-13 |
| 3. Jessica Pegula (USA) | 1-1 | 3-2 | 26-25 |
| 4. Marta Kostyuk (UKR), eliminated | 0-2 | 0-4 | 13-25 |
Gauff beat Pegula 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-2 and Noskova beat Kostyuk 6-2, 6-4 on Sunday. Gauff and Noskova meet later on Tuesday. The top two reach the semi-finals on Saturday.
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