Gauff wins but exits the Finals: the set that sends Pegula through
Two wins are not enough: Coco Gauff beats Marta Kostyuk 6-4, 7-5 but exits the WTA Finals in Indian Wells, while Jessica Pegula defeats Linda Noskova 7-6(2), 4-6, 7-5 to secure second place in Group 1.[1][2]
These are the outcomes of November 12 in California, covered by Gazzetta at 10:14 on November 13 in Italy, not matches still awaiting a result this evening.[1][2]
## The detail that settles the group
Gauff, Pegula and Noskova all finish with two wins and one defeat, but their set records separate them: Noskova is 5-2, Pegula 5-3 and Gauff 4-3.[1]
The WTA therefore places Noskova first and Pegula second, ahead of Gauff on percentage of sets won.[1]
The useful number is not just the match tally: in a tightly balanced group, even a set lost in a victory can change the outcome.
That is what happened in the Americans' opening encounter: Gauff had a set point to win in straight sets, but Pegula extended the match to a third.[1]
The set Pegula saved on opening day ultimately provided her edge in the final standings.[1]
Winning the head-to-head match alone does not explain this three-way tie.
## Winning the match, losing the opportunity
Against Kostyuk, Gauff comes back from 5-1 in the second set and takes the final six games, according to the official WTA report.[1]
That allows her to do her part, not to control the other match.[1]
Pegula then gets the result she needs against an already-qualified Noskova: Gazzetta highlights the American's steadiness in the deciding set and the Czech's high-risk approach.[2]
That is the lesson of the day: a victory and a qualification are different news.[1]
The [official WTA account and set records](https://www.wtatennis.com/news/4608404/gauff-kostyuk), alongside [Gazzetta's reporting](https://www.gazzetta.it/Tennis/WTA/13-11-2026/wta-finals-gauff-vince-ma-e-fuori-errani-paolini-tris-di-vittorie.shtml), explain the outcome.[1][2]
## Sources
[1] https://www.wtatennis.com/news/4608404/gauff-kostyuk — WTA: Gauff elimination
[2] https://www.gazzetta.it/Tennis/WTA/13-11-2026/wta-finals-gauff-vince-ma-e-fuori-errani-paolini-tris-di-vittorie.shtml — Gazzetta: Finals 13 novembre