From Hot Mic to Divas in Chanel
The remarks came from on-court microphones after a practice session between the two players, which was streamed live on the WTA’s YouTube channel. Pegula, talking to his coach Mark Knowles, also criticized Andreeva’s coach Conchita Martinez. The WTA has removed the footage and apologized for not informing the players that the microphone was on.
The two players quickly patched things up. Andreeva posted a photo of them from the tournament photo shoot with the caption, “DIVAS,” and Pegula replied, “Divas in Chanel.”
On the eve of their semi-final, the American was back at it with a smile. “I think we’ve all seen that Mirra has a good sense of humor … she said she embraces (being a diva),” Pegula said. “I was like, ‘Maybe I need a little more of that in me.’
Pegula escaped, Andreeva sailed
Pegula, fifth and a finalist in Cancun in 2022, cruised through Group 1 by the narrowest of margins. He lost his opening to Coco Gauff after dropping a game point, Marta Kostyuk won. On Thursday he saved a point to beat Linda Noskova 7-6 (2), 4-6, 7-5 had a career-high 16 aces and moved ahead of Gauff in set winning percentage.
Andreeva, the third seed, had a much smoother week in her first WTA finals. He She defeated Elina Svitolina 6-4, 6-0then Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 6-0winning the last 11 games, taking first place in Group 2, defeating On Friday he completed a perfect group stage, defeating alternate Diana Schneider 6-2, 6-1and enters the semifinals undefeated, without dropping a set and losing only 11 games.
The 19-year-old, the youngest semi-finalist at the event since Caroline Wozniacki in 2009, is also confident of becoming the world No.2 on Monday.
The winner will play Sunday’s final against either Linda Noskova or Elina Svitolina in the second semifinal.
