Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) – American Coco Gauff, 4th in the world, beat her compatriot Jessica Pegula (5th) on Sunday after an intense three-set duel, 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-2 to claim her first victory at the WTA Masters in Indian Wells.

Published on: 09/11/2026 - 04:42

After winning the first set, Gauff, champion of the 2023 US Open and 2025 Roland-Garros, was trailing 5-1 in the second set, before winning five games in a row.

She saved three set points and got herself a match point, but Pegula held on by going for the tie-break then a third set with a winning forehand return.

It was the youngest American, Coco Gauff, 22, who took the upper hand in the final set, beating her elder Pegula, 32, after 2h39 of match.

“I had a lot of fun,” said the winner. "I took a short break. It was my first match in about a month. I had never entered a tournament like this without preparation in my career."

Coco Gauff is playing her fifth WTA Masters in a row, a prestigious tournament which brings together the eight best players of the season at the end of the year.

Earlier in the day in Indian Wells, California, the Czech, this year's Wimbledon winner, beat Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk 6-2, 6-4 in the first match of the Masters.

Noskova, world No.8, was opportunistic in getting rid of Kostyuk (10th), who replaced world No.1 Elena Rybakina at short notice, weakened by a virus and who withdrew the day before.

The Czech player converted the four break points she had and was able to rely on a good first service ball.

With this victory, she offers her first three points in group 1, the same as that of Gauff and Pegula. Each player must face the three other members of their group.

The group 2 matches will begin on Monday, notably with the entry of Aryna Sabalenka, world No.2.

© 2026 AFP

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