Coco Gauff opens 2024 WTA Finals with straight-sets win over Jessica Pegula
The 2023 US Open champion defeated her Olympic doubles partner 6-3, 6-2 to take the early lead in the Orange Group in Riyadh.
Tennis
Coco Gauff got the better of US compatriot Jessica Pegula at the 2024 WTA Finals in Riyadh on Sunday (3 November).
The 2023 US Open champion prevailed 6-3, 6-2 in just over an hour and a quarter to make a winning start in the Orange Group in the Saudi capital.
Gauff had to save a break point in the opening game, and there was little to choose between the Paris 2024 Olympic doubles partners before she broke to lead 3-1.
Pegula immediately returned the favour, but the third seed broke again for a 4-2 lead before closing out the first set in just 34 minutes.
Having struggled on the Asian swing after reaching the final of this year’s US Open, Pegula was broken again right at the start of the second set.
The 30-year-old broke back to level at 2-2 but, in a match of fine margins, Gauff played the bigger points the better. Pegula was unable to consolidate the break, and then the errors started to flow as her younger rival cruised to victory.
Gauff sits atop the Orange Group after reigning WTA Finals champion Iga Swiatek came from a set down to beat Wimbledon hero Barbora Krejcikova 4-6, 7-5, 6-2.