Dominant third set lifts Gauff past Pegula in FAGE WTA Finals opener

Coco Gauff capped an opening victory at the FAGE WTA Finals with a dominant third set, defeating Jessica Pegula 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-2 in 2 hours, 39 minutes Sunday at Indian Wells.

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The match swung repeatedly, with Gauff breaking in the final game of the opening set to move ahead, then rallying from a 5-1 deficit in the second and holding match point at 6-5. But Pegula saved it and forced a deciding set by taking a high-level tiebreak.

Gauff seized control from there, breaking serve in the opening game of the third set and racing to a 3-0 lead. She went on to earn her sixth win over Pegula in 11 WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz meetings and improve to 1-0 in Group 1 play, with the victory extending her win streak against Pegula to three matches, all of which have come this season.

More to come...