Jessica Pegula defeats Marta Kostyuk 6-2, 7-5 in Indian Wells on Tuesday to open her WTA Finals campaign in group play.
Pegula, the oldest player in the eight-woman field at 32 years old, capitalized on early errors from Kostyuk to secure the opening set quickly, ouest-france.fr reported. The American broke Kostyuk immediately in the first game, converting on early opportunities as her Ukrainian opponent struggled with a missed volley and a double fault.
Kostyuk committed 17 unforced errors in the first set alone compared to just five for Pegula. After falling behind 4-2 following another double fault, Kostyuk dropped the opening set 6-2 in 29 minutes.
The second set proved far more turbulent as both players traded breaks and struggled to maintain momentum. Kostyuk tossed her racket in frustration after committing her seventh double fault of the match, dropping her opening two service games of the second frame. Pegula experienced a dip in form during the sprawling second set, allowing Kostyuk to stay within striking distance despite erratic play.
“Ce deuxième set — deux fois plus long que le premier — et le match ont cependant basculé en faveur de Pegula, finaliste du Masters en 2023, plus constante que son adversaire qui a alterné belles fulgurances et fautes grossières, dont neuf doubles fautes,” ouest-france.fr reported.
Jessica Pegula beats Marta Kostyuk in straight sets! 💪 pic.twitter.com/RWAkpJ4xFr
Kostyuk finished the match with nine total double faults, undone by a mix of brilliant winners and glaring mistakes. The defeat eliminates Kostyuk from semifinal contention after dropping her first two matches in her debut WTA Finals appearance.
Group 1 Standings and Next Matches
Pegula enters the tournament sitting fifth in the Race rankings, while Kostyuk earned entry into the field as an alternate following the withdrawal of Elena Rybakina. Group 1 play continues as American Coco Gauff, ranked fourth in the Race, faces Czech player Linda Noskova after both competitors won their opening matches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did Marta Kostyuk replace in the WTA Finals field?
Kostyuk entered the tournament as an alternate following the withdrawal of Elena Rybakina.
How many double faults did Marta Kostyuk commit against Jessica Pegula?
Kostyuk recorded nine double faults during the straight-sets defeat on Tuesday.
Which player reached the WTA Finals title match in 2023?
Jessica Pegula reached the final of the WTA Finals in 2023.