Pegula breaks through in Riyadh
Jessica Pegula defeated Coco Gauff 6-3, 6-7, 6-2 to secure her fourth WTA Finals berth. Technical adjustments with Mark Knowles helped Pegula increase her service games won to 78.8 percent during the tournament in Riyadh.
Pegula outlasts Gauff
I see Jessica Pegula finding her best form at 31 years old. She defeated Coco Gauff 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-2 in the Stefanie Graf Group on Sunday night. Gauff, the 21-year-old defending champion and youngest singles player in the field, struggled with her service game. She hit 17 double faults and lost her serve nine times. Pegula stayed competitive to secure her fourth WTA Finals berth. This victory counts as her 25th Top 10 win. You should notice how Pegula manages the pressure of the season-ending championship.
Gauff lost her rhythm in the opening set. She finished that frame with five double faults and zero aces. She won only 10 of 29 points on her serve, which led to four breaks. Pegula fought back after a shaky start in the opening set when the first five games went to the returner. She finally held to take a 4-2 lead and won the set. Gauff won the second set 7-6(4) after saving two break points with defense and serves. Gauff forged a set point, but three consecutive double faults sent it to a tiebreak. Pegula took a 3-2 lead in the third set with a lunging forehand pass, then broke Gauff for the eighth time to end the match. This result provides revenge for the Wuhan final where Gauff won.
Pegula holds a 5-3 lead in the head-to-head series against Gauff. She arrived in Riyadh after a reset in south Florida. Gauff noted that Pegula played smarter than she did during their recent meeting in Wuhan. Gauff’s frustration grew in the first set when she won only 10 of 29 points on her serve.
The serve evolution works
The technical adjustments Pegula made with Mark Knowles and Mark Merklein provide the edge. She moved away from focusing on pure speed. She now prioritizes spin and placement to keep opponents guessing. These changes drive her efficiency on court.
| 2026 Serve Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Serve Points Won | 63.2% |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 70.4% |
| Service Games Won | 78.8% |
| Ace Percentage | 7.3% |
Pegula worked with coaches Mark Knowles and Mark Merklein to focus on variety and spin rather than just raw speed, a change that helped her increase her service games won to 78.8 percent. She changed her motion two years ago to find different spins and spots. She now uses a hybrid motion that combines her previous style with new techniques. This approach helped her improve her 1st serve points won from 67.5 percent in 2025 to 70.4 percent in 2026. The numbers show her progress. Her service points won reached 63.2 percent and her ace percentage rose to 7.3 percent. Her 1st serve points won reached 70.4 percent. These marks are her highest since she began working with the two Marks.
Pegula’s game is cerebral and nuanced. Her mind is her greatest asset. Mark Knowles says she is an incredible competitor who is honest with herself. This is the best version of Pegula.
Sabalenka looms ahead
Pegula faces Aryna Sabalenka on Tuesday. Sabalenka won her match against Jasmine Paolini 6-3, 6-1 earlier Sunday. Sabalenka holds an 8-3 lead in their head-to-head meetings. Pegula needs a strong performance to advance to the semifinals. The tournament includes the top eight singles players in the world. Sabalenka leads the group and seeks her fourth consecutive year of overcoming the round robin stage. Pegula needs to win in straight sets if she wants to guarantee her spot in the semifinals. She has three previous appearances at the WTA Finals and only managed to overcome the Round Robin in 2023. Will Pegula find enough rhythm to overcome the world No. 1?
