2023 WTA Finals: Pegula defeats Gauff to reach 'biggest final ever'

After the doubles partners split a pair of singles matches earlier this season, Jessica Pegula defeated Coco Gauff on the grand stage of the WTA Finals to reach the championship match in Cancun. Pegula extended her undefeated run at the season finale with a 6-2, 6-1 semifinal victory against her countrywoman on Saturday evening and now awaits Aryna Sabalenka or Iga Swiatek in Monday's final.

Pegula wrapped up her dominant victory after one hour of play, though the match was interrupted by heavy rain and wind in the second set. Through to her fifth final of 2023, she is set to play for the fifth and most prestigious title of her career.

"It's probably my biggest final ever," said the 29-year-old, who has won WTA 1000 crowns in Guadalajara last season and in Montreal this year "It's going to give me a lot of confidence going into next year."

World No. 5 Pegula improved to 3-1 against Gauff with Saturday's result. She has now won two straight matches against her compatriot—in Montreal and Cancun—after Gauff beat her in Eastbourne.

"I executed what I wanted to do really well," Pegula said of her tactics against the 19-year-old. "In the windy conditions, I think it worked even better.

"I was just trying not to get frustrated with my serve or returns or any funky kind of points that we had and just to keep my feet moving."

Pegula converted on six of 10 break points on a frustrating night for Gauff, who hit 25 unforced errors and won just 41% of her points on serve.