“At first, I didn’t even know I was in the semifinals to begin with,” Noskova said. “Immediately after the match I was already focused on how I was going to play with Jesse in two days.”
How Noskova defeated Gauf
Noskova did the damage during the return. She broke Gauff five times, including four in the opening set, converted five of her nine break points and won 18 of 24 points on the American’s second serve. He had a 4-1 advantage in both sets.
After taking the first set, he won five straight games, took a 3-0 lead in the second, and sealed the victory with his ninth ace match point. Gauff hit more winners, 11-for-5, but also committed 18 unforced errors and eight double faults.
Next, Noskova will face Pegula
Noskova has now beaten Gauff in their two meetings this season, after losing the first two. He has also won three of his four meetings with Pegula and says the qualification won’t change his approach on Thursday.
“So not much changes for me. I still want to win. I still want to get any points, any wins possible. I’m not really playing math here.”
Linda Noskova
Gauff, playing in her fifth straight WTA final, needs to beat Kostyuk to reach the semi-finals. “I wish I could start serving a little better,” he said. “He started the break a lot, and it’s a lot easier to serve when you’re on a break.”
WTA Finals Group 1: Provisional Ranking
Group 1:
Top two semi-finals
Gauff moves ahead of Pegula after beating him 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-2 on Sunday. Earlier on Tuesday, Pegula defeated Kostyuk 6-2, 7-5. On Thursday, Noskova plays Pegula and Gauff plays Kostyuk. The top two advance to the semifinals on Saturday.