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New Delhi: Coco Gauff's serving issues resurfaced at the worst possible time as her WTA Finals title defence got off to a rocky start in Riyadh. The World No.3 fell 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-2 to compatriot Jessica Pegula in a thrilling encounter that stretched past two hours in the Stefanie Graf Group.
The fifth seed stayed composed through the chaos of Gauff's 17 double faults, handling the highs and lows of the match with calm precision. The 31-year-old Pegula has been in sparkling form since the US Open and held her nerve when it mattered the most as she broke Gauff nine times and saving her best tennis for the closing stretch.
The win marks a crucial early boost for Pegula in the group stage, with Aryna Sabalenka and Jasmine Paolini also in the mix. Earlier the world No.1 opened her campaign earlier with a commanding 6-3, 6-1 victory over Paolini.
Serving has been a recurring headache for Gauff in recent months and it reappeared with full force in Riyadh. Despite flashes of brilliance, her second serve repeatedly broke down under pressure. The 21-year-old twice served for the second set, even holding a set point at 6-5 before handing Pegula a lifeline with three consecutive double faults.
Still, the French Open champion showed her trademark grit to force a decider with her first serve touching 128 mph at times but the inconsistency proved too costly. Pegula pounced on every opportunity, extending rallies, stepping inside the baseline and taking time away from Gauff at key moments.
“It was a very up-and-down match,” Pegula said after the win. “I just had to fight and stay in it. Once I picked up on a few things, I was able to turn the match around.”
Pegula's next challenge will be against Sabalenka. The World No.1 handed her a defeat in the US Open, and she will look to avenge the same. Meanwhile, Gauff will face Paolini in a must-win clash to keep her hopes of progressing alive.
For now, though, Pegula's mix of control, composure and quiet firepower has set the tone. Her ability to problem-solve under pressure has set the tone. Her ability to solve problems under pressure is proving just as valuable as any big serve on forehand. In fact, she is the oldest player in the group in Riyadh, but she is defying all odds and looks like the most complete player as she began her campaign on a high note.
