Pegula Upsets Defending Champion Gauff in Thrilling WTA Finals Opener
Cancún, Mexico - Jessica Pegula defeated defending champion Coco Gauff 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-2 in a rollercoaster match at the 2025 WTA Finals on Sunday, marking a meaningful upset to begin the tournament. The two-hour and 18-minute contest was characterized by fluctuating momentum and a high volume of errors, particularly from Gauff, who committed 17 double faults.
The match began wiht a string of broken serves, with neither player able to hold in the first five games. Pegula ultimately secured the first set 6-3 after finally holding serve in the sixth game,capitalizing on Gauff’s struggles.
Gauff responded strongly at the start of the second set, breaking Pegula’s serve immediately and improving her own service game, reaching speeds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour. Despite facing two break points in the fourth game, she largely controlled her service games. however, both players faltered while serving at the end of the set, leading to a tiebreak which gauff won 7-4, forcing a deciding set.
Pegula dominated the final set, breaking Gauff’s serve in all but one game. Despite facing break points on her own serve in every game except one,she maintained her composure and secured the victory 6-2.
“It was a really tough match. It was a duel like a rollercoaster. Coco served excellently, it was hard to resist such service. But in the end I managed it,I’m very satisfied,” Pegula said after the match.
The win gives Pegula an early advantage in their group, which also includes aryna sabalenka. Pegula now leads the head-to-head series against Gauff 5-3.
Full tournament results are available at https://www.tenisportal.cz/turnaj-mistryn/2025/wta-zeny/.
This article was originally published by Livesport News.
