"Despite fighting hard and remaining competitive until the end, the third seed simply could not overcome her 17 double faults against an in-form Pegula, the fifth seed, who maintained her composure after getting pulled into a final set by her struggling opponent, and saved her best level for the closing stretch of the match. Pegula's victory could prove to be an important win in the Stefanie Graf group, with Aryna Sabalenka looming and favoured to advance."
"Gauff's serving difficulties have been the source of much discussion in recent months and here her second serve fell apart again. The reigning French Open champion twice served for the second set and held a set point at 6-5 before serving three consecutive double faults. Still, Gauff showed her mental toughness by forcing a final set, and her cause was aided by first-serve speeds of up to 128mph."
Coco Gauff began her WTA Finals title defence with a 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-2 defeat to Jessica Pegula in Riyadh. Gauff committed 17 double faults and saw her second serve collapse, including three consecutive double faults while serving for the second set. Pegula maintained composure, raised her level late, and converted momentum in the deciding set. Aryna Sabalenka opened her campaign with a confident 6-3, 6-1 win over Jasmine Paolini, marking her 60th victory of the season. Pegula will next face Sabalenka in the Stefanie Graf group.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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