Pegula keeps WTA Finals hopes alive, Kostyuk eliminated

INDIAN WELLS, California: Jessica Pegula kept her hopes alive of reaching the semifinals of the WTA Finals with a 6-2 7-5 victory over Marta Kostyuk on Tuesday, as Group 1 action continued at the season-ending tournament.

The American, who lost her opening match to compatriot Coco Gauff in three sets, responded with a composed performance to eliminate Kostyuk, who was a late addition to the ⁠draw after replacing ⁠world number one Elena Rybakina following the Kazakh’s withdrawal through illness.

Pegula made an immediate statement, breaking Kostyuk in the opening game before securing another break to take the first set comfortably. She ⁠carried that momentum into the second, breaking again in the opening game, but the Ukrainian fought back as the pair exchanged breaks twice to remain level.