Coco Gauff Beats Jessica Pegula in Dramatic WTA Finals Showdown
Locker Room
November 9, 2026
Coco Gauff won the most extraordinary all-American contest against her former doubles partner at Indian Wells.
And if all her matches at the WTA Finals are going to be like this, we’re in for a treat.
Both of the first two sets looked to be going the way of Jessica Pegula before they ignited.
Coco was 0-40 down when she served at 4-4 in the opener. Pegula only needed one more point for the chance to serve out and draw first blood.
But Gauff is famous for her fighting spirit – and she refused to bow to the inevitable. Sensing typical uncertainty in Jess at the moment of truth, Coco stormed back to take the set.
Coco Gauff loves nothing more than a gladiatorial battle – and she’ll be showing us that warrior spirit yet again at Wimbledon 2027.
The second set was even more memorable and dramatic. Coco came from 1-5 down to earn herself a match point at 6-5. But she faded her slice wide and squandered the big moment.
This time Pegula dug in for dear life and earned herself parity through a determined tie-break. We were down to a decider and wondered what would unfold.
When it really mattered, Gauff showed the greater nerve. Indeed, the difference between these two women lies in their temperament.
Coco has superior self-belief and a greater will to win. Jessica seems to doubt herself and commit the most unforced errors when she has reached a winning position.
Gauff wasn’t about to give her rival a scent of the finishing line in the third, though. She came out with all guns blazing to close a rollercoaster match 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2.
And the winner gave us such a roar of defiance in that moment of victory that you just knew what the afternoon had meant to her.
Coco Gauff will be seeking that winning feeling at the business end of Wimbledon 2027 as well. There’s no reason why she can’t win it!
For now, the 22-year-old is just delighted with her start at the year-end finals.
She said: ‘I was having a lot of fun today. I had a match point in the second and I didn’t get too down on myself.
‘I think today the key was trying to be aggressive and also running a lot.’
She’ll have to do the same in the next match against reigning Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova.
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