Sabalenka Shines, Gauff Out as Pegula Joins Semis

Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka secured her third consecutive group-stage win at the WTA Finals by defeating Coco Gauff 7-6(5), 6-2 on Thursday, eliminating the defending champion from the tournament. With this win, Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula advance to the semifinals. Pegula had earlier beaten Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 6-3 to finish with a 2-1 record, while Gauff ended 1-2 and Paolini 0-3.

Sabalenka will face Amanda Anisimova in Friday’s semifinals, a rematch of the U.S. Open final, while Pegula takes on Elena Rybakina.

Gauff initially led in the opening set, holding two break points to go up 5-2 and serving for the set at 5-4. However, Sabalenka broke back and won the tiebreak, carrying momentum into a dominant second set.

“I was already working for the second set,” Sabalenka said. “That break gave me a lot of confidence.”

Gauff reflected on missed opportunities: “I had a lot of chances in the first set. She stepped her level up and I just couldn't find it after that.”