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Brilliant Noskova dismantles Gauff to reach WTA Finals last four
Linda Noskova beat Coco Gauff 6-3 6-3 to become the first player to reach the semi-finals of the WTA Finals, on her tournament debut. The Wimbledon champion’s composed, aggressive play and strong serving overwhelmed Gauff, whose serve faltered.
Noskova, 21 and ranked eighth, broke Gauff four times in the first set and made just one unforced error in a dominant second. The win was her sixth against a top-10 player this season. Gauff can still qualify, as can Jessica Pegula, who beat substitute Marta Kostyuk 6-2 7-5 to secure her first win since September and eliminate the Ukrainian.
In short
- Noskova reached the WTA Finals semi-finals on debut.
- She beat Gauff 6-3 6-3 with controlled aggression.
- Pegula defeated Kostyuk and remains in contention.
Explained simply
The WTA Finals is the season-ending tournament for the leading players on the women’s tennis tour. Eight players compete in two groups, with the best two in each group advancing to the semi-finals and then a knock-out final.
Linda Noskova is a Czech player who has risen into the world’s top ten, while Coco Gauff is an American former world number one and Grand Slam champion. The tournament brings together players with strong results across the season, so reaching the semi-finals is a significant milestone.
Group matches can affect more than one player’s chances of advancing, as results are weighed together. Jessica Pegula is also among the players competing for a place in the last four.