Gauff wins last six games against Kostyuk to stay in contention at FAGE WTA Finals
INDIAN WELLS, Calif. -- Coco Gauff knew coming into Thursday that even a win over Marta Kostyuk might not be enough to keep her in the FAGE WTA Finals. What she could do was give herself a reason to watch the second match. And for a while in the second set, even that looked like it would take some doing.
Gauff beat Kostyuk 6-4, 7-5, winning the last six games to finish 2-1 in round-robin play and keep her semifinal hopes alive.
Find out where to watch the FAGE WTA Finals at Indian Wells
After a routine opening set, nothing came easy for Gauff in the second. Down 3-0, she took a medical timeout and was later seen working with a trainer on her lower back. It didn’t immediately get better from there. Kostyuk stretched her lead to 5-1, and when Gauff served to stay in the set, she opened the game with one of her nine double faults.
Gauff held anyway, and once she started going after Kostyuk’s forehand, the set turned quickly. She broke for 5-3, then won eight straight points to get back to 5-5. By then it was Kostyuk who had to serve to stay in the set. Gauff held for 6-5 and broke once more to close out the match.
What it means for Gauff
The 2024 champion advances if Linda Noskova beats Jessica Pegula in Thursday’s second match. If Pegula wins, she and Noskova advance on percentage of sets won in a three-way tie at 2-1.
That’s where the second set of Gauff’s opening win over Pegula comes back into play. Gauff had a set point that would have ended the match in straight sets. Pegula forced a third, and that set could be the difference between advancing and going home.
More to come ...
