Key points
- Jessica Pegula defeated Linda Noskova 7-6(2), 4-6, 7-5 in a 2-hour, 45-minute Group 1 match at the WTA Finals on November 12, 2026.
- Pegula saved a match point at 4-5 in the deciding set before winning the final three games to secure the victory.
- The American struck a career-high 16 aces, while Noskova recorded 15 double faults.
- Earlier, Coco Gauff beat Marta Kostyuk 6-4, 7-5 after recovering from 1-5 down in the second set, but the win was not enough to reach the semifinals.
- Noskova, Pegula and Gauff all finished the group stage with 2-1 records; set percentage placed Noskova first, Pegula second and Gauff third.
- Pegula advanced to face Group 2 winner Mirra Andreeva in Saturday's semifinals, while Noskova's semifinal opponent was to be determined.
Jessica Pegula saved a match point and fought back to defeat Linda Noskova in a three-set thriller at the WTA Finals on Thursday, November 12, securing the final Group 1 semifinal place and eliminating fellow American Coco Gauff. Pegula won 7-6(2), 4-6, 7-5 in two hours and 45 minutes at Indian Wells, producing a career-best serving display when her tournament place was on the line.
Pegula escapes match point to reach the last four
Noskova, already assured of a semifinal place, pushed Pegula to the edge in the deciding set. The Czech led 5-4 and held a match point on Pegula's serve, but the American saved it with an ace and levelled the set. Pegula then broke Noskova before serving out the match, taking the final three games to complete the comeback.
Pegula's serve was central to the result. She fired 16 aces, a career high in a WTA Tour match, while Noskova hit 15 double faults. The match was a fluctuating contest in which Pegula took the first-set tiebreak 7-2, lost the second 4-6 and found a way through the deciding set.
The result put Pegula through to the semifinals as the second qualifier from Group 1. She finished with a 2-1 win-loss record, the same as Noskova and Gauff, but advanced on the group tiebreak criteria. Noskova topped the group with a 5-2 set record, Pegula was second at 5-3 and Gauff finished third at 4-3.
Gauff wins but still falls short
Earlier in the day, Gauff had done her part by beating alternate Marta Kostyuk 6-4, 7-5. The American's victory came after a difficult second set in which she trailed 1-5. Gauff responded by winning six games in a row to close out the match in straight sets.
Gauff's win, however, left her dependent on the result of the Pegula-Noskova match. A Pegula victory meant that three players finished Group 1 with identical 2-1 records. The set percentage tiebreak placed Gauff behind both Noskova and Pegula, ending the 2024 champion's title defence.
Gauff also dealt with physical discomfort during the match. Reports said she received treatment for back tightness, while her opponent Kostyuk had a wrist issue and had already been eliminated from semifinal contention before the match began. Kostyuk entered the eight-player field as the first alternate after Elena Rybakina withdrew because of illness.
Noskova tops the group despite defeat
Although Noskova lost to Pegula, the Czech had already secured qualification with her earlier group victories. She finished first in Group 1, ahead of Pegula, and continued a strong first appearance at the season-ending championship. The match against Pegula was still significant for the final group order and the identity of the second semifinalist.
The contest also extended a striking pattern in the pair's rivalry. Sportsnet reported that all five of their career meetings had gone to three sets. This latest encounter followed the same script, with both players having opportunities to take control before Pegula produced the decisive finish.
Pegula set for Andreeva semifinal
Pegula's reward is a semifinal against Group 2 winner Mirra Andreeva on Saturday. It will be the first meeting between the American and the Russian teenager, according to Reuters. Noskova will face the runner-up from Group 2, with the remaining qualification place to be decided by the final round-robin matches.
The WTA Finals are being held at Indian Wells from November 8 to 15, 2026, with a listed prize pool of $10 million. The event was moved from its planned venue in Riyadh to the Southern California desert. The group-stage finish has set up a final weekend featuring the players who handled the pressure of the round-robin format most effectively.
A dramatic end to Group 1
Thursday's results produced a sharp contrast for the two Americans. Gauff fought back to win her match but could not control the qualification equation, while Pegula had to save a match point to keep her campaign alive. Noskova's earlier wins gave her enough cushion to finish first in the group despite the narrow defeat.
For Pegula, the 16-ace performance and late recovery provided a timely response under pressure. For Gauff, the loss of a semifinal place despite a winning final match brought her WTA Finals campaign to an end. The Group 1 standings were settled by the smallest margins, with set percentage separating three players who all finished with two wins.
Frequently asked questions
What was the score when Jessica Pegula beat Linda Noskova at the WTA Finals?
Jessica Pegula defeated Linda Noskova 7-6(2), 4-6, 7-5 in their Group 1 match on November 12, 2026. The contest lasted two hours and 45 minutes, and Pegula saved a match point in the deciding set before winning the final three games.
How did Jessica Pegula reach the WTA Finals semifinals?
Pegula needed to beat Noskova in the final Group 1 match to qualify. She saved a match point at 4-5 in the third set, won the final three games and finished second in the group on set percentage, advancing behind Noskova.
Why was Coco Gauff eliminated from the WTA Finals?
Gauff beat Marta Kostyuk 6-4, 7-5 but finished Group 1 with a 2-1 record, level with Pegula and Noskova. The group tiebreak was decided by sets won and lost: Gauff's 4-3 record placed her behind Pegula's 5-3 and Noskova's 5-2.
How many aces did Jessica Pegula hit against Linda Noskova?
Pegula hit 16 aces against Noskova, a career high in a WTA Tour match according to the match reports. Noskova recorded 15 double faults during the 2-hour, 45-minute contest, which Pegula won in three sets.
Who will Jessica Pegula face in the WTA Finals semifinals?
Pegula is scheduled to face Group 2 winner Mirra Andreeva in the semifinals on Saturday. Reuters reported that it will be the first meeting between the American and the Russian teenager. Noskova will face the runner-up from Group 2.
How did Coco Gauff beat Marta Kostyuk?
Gauff won 6-4, 7-5 after recovering from 1-5 down in the second set. She won six consecutive games to close out the match. The victory was not enough to secure a semifinal place because Pegula's win over Noskova decided the group tiebreak in Pegula's favour.