Coco Gauff began her WTA Finals campaign on a high note, defeating fellow American Jessica Pegula with a confident 6-3, 6-2 victory on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.
Gauff, who recently clinched her first Grand Slam title at the U.S. Open, showcased her signature tenacity and skill, converting five out of eight break-point opportunities to secure the win in her debut match of the year-end tournament.
Reflecting on the match, Gauff said:
“I thought we both were playing high level. I just think I was able to break through on the more important points.”
The triumph places Gauff in a strong position within the Orange Group, where she will next face world No. 2 Iga Swiatek.
The winner of that match will gain the upper hand in the group standings, heightening anticipation as the tournament progresses.
Swiatek, meanwhile, made a dramatic return to the court after a two-month hiatus, rallying to defeat Barbora Krejcikova 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 in a hard-fought match.
Having changed coaches after the U.S. Open, Swiatek acknowledged the mental challenges of competing again but praised her own resilience, saying:
“I managed to fight through that and was patient enough to wait to get better.”
The WTA Finals, held this year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, bring together the world’s top eight players to vie for the season’s final title.
With Gauff’s victory and her upcoming clash against Swiatek, fans can expect a compelling showdown as these two powerhouse athletes continue their rise to the top of women’s tennis.
