Jessica Pegula wins thrilling contest at WTA Finals, Coco Gauff eliminated

“I’ve learned that sometimes the serve feels good and sometimes it doesn’t, and how to manage the days when it doesn’t and to ride it when you are serving well,” Pegula told reporters. “I don’t think I served that well in my first ‌couple matches and I served great today. Sometimes there’s no rhyme or reason.” Pegula had earlier called Andreeva “ a diva ” who “needs to be humbled”, but didn’t realise that ⁠her remarks were being livestreamed during a practice session before the tournament.

In the same ⁠comments, Pegula also praised the World No 3, and she apologised afterwards to those involved. “She’s fast, she has a great serve, she’s strong, she hits the ball pretty hard, and she’s smart,” Pegula said on Thursday. After sealing the first set with a stab volley that sent fans leaping to their feet under sunny California desert skies, Gauff ⁠rallied from 1-5 down in the second, winning six games in a row.

“It’s the last tournament of the season, so I just wanted to finish it on a high note and give myself the best chance to play the semifinals.