WTA Finals: Jessica Pegula Crushes Gauff To Reach Biggest Final Of Career As Rain Causes Havoc - UBITENNIS

WTA Finals: Jessica Pegula Crushes Gauff To Reach Biggest Final Of Career As Rain Causes Havoc

By Adam Addicott
4 Min Read
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Jessica Pegula produced a dominant display to reach her first title match at the WTA Finals on the same day poor weather forced the tournament to be extended by another 24 hours.

The world No.3 eased to a 6-2, 6-1, win over US Open champion and doubles partner Coco Gauff in just over an hour at the rain-affected event. Despite the adverse conditions, Pegula dictated play with the help of 10 winners and broke her rival six times in total. She has now won nine matches in a row on the Tour which is the longest streak of her career so far.   

“I thought I executed what I wanted to do really really,” Pegula told the Tennis Channel. “I think in the windy conditions, it worked even better. I was just trying not to get frustrated with my serve or returns or any funky kind of points we had and just keep my feet moving.”

The conditions in Cancun caused chaos with the other semi-final being suspended after just three games and doubles matches getting cancelled. As a result of the weather, organizers have been forced to move the tournament final to Monday. Another setback for WTA who have been publically criticised by players about their management of the event. The host venue for this year’s WTA Finals wasn’t announced until September and the stadium wasn’t fully ready until the same weekend the tournament started. 

“The wind is so tough. I hit hard and flat and if I’m doing that up the middle it’s hard for people to kind of create in general, let alone in the wind,” Pegula said. “So I’m like if you’re going to go out and hit winners in wind like this, then too good, but I don’t think anyone can really do that, that efficiently so that’s basically the chance I’m taking.
“But also to move in and put pressure when I can. Sometimes, you’re just reacting, you’re not really trying to go for a certain shot and it just happens.”

Pegula has become the first America to reach the final of the season-ending event since Sloane Stephens in 2018. The breakthrough comes during what has been a strong season for Pegula who has won 45 matches on a hardcourt so far this year. Since 2000, only two American players have managed to record more victories within the same season on the surface. Lindsay Davenport won 49 in 2001 and Serena Williams won 47 in 2013. Pegula has also won five out of six matches played against top five players this year. 

In the final Pegula will take on either Aryna Sabalenka or Iga Swiatek who will complete their semi-final match on Sunday. Sabalenka can secure the year-end No.1 ranking by beating the Pole to reach the final. However, if Swiatek wins and goes on to claim the title, she will snatch the year-end No.1 spot. 

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