2023 WTA Finals: Gauff advances to set all-American SF vs. Pegula

Coco Gauff emerged from a wind-whipped and rain-interrupted battle against Marketa Vondrousova with a priceless victory that ultimately earned her a place in the knockout rounds of the 2023 WTA Finals.

The American's 5-7, 7-6(4), 6-3 triumph on Friday finalized her group-stage record at 2-1, a mark that saw her advance to the semifinals in Cancun after group-winner Iga Swiatek defeated Ons Jabeur later in the night. As the second-place finisher in the Chetumal Group, Gauff will meet the undefeated winner of the Bacalar Group—her doubles partner and good friend Jessica Pegula—in an all-American semifinal on Saturday evening.

The 19-year-old Gauff is the first teenager to advance to the knockout rounds at the WTA Finals since Caroline Wozniacki in 2009. She is bidding for her fifth tour-level singles title of the 2023 season and her first since claiming her maiden major trophy at the US Open.

In a matchup of the WTA's two most recent Grand Slam champions, Gauff surrendered leads of 4-1 and 5-3 in the second set and had to stop Vondrousova from serving out the match at 6-5. By ratcheting up her aggression, she forced a tiebreak and—soon after—forced a deciding set.

More attacking tennis and several well-timed net approaches helped her stay on top in the final frame, which she won behind a mid-set break to love.

"I felt like I needed to hit through the court," said Gauff, who is now 3-0 against the Czech. "She's a very tricky player. When you play her pace and let her move you side to side it's tough. And I've played her, it's my third time, so I know that.