Jessica Pegula beat Marta Kostyuk 6-2 7-5 at the WTA Finals, eliminating the Ukrainian from contention and keeping her own hopes of reaching the semi-finals alive.

After both players suffered opening-day defeats, to Coco Gauff and Linda Noskova respectively, they knew only a win would keep them in the qualification mix ahead of their final matches. 

Pegula started as she meant to go on by breaking to love in the very first game, and the fifth seed did not face much pressure on her own serve throughout the opener, with another break in game seven clinching the set.

The second set was far more competitive, though, with each of the first four games resulting in breaks of serve. 

Pegula had to ward off another break point in game six, while Kostyuk fended off two in game 10, with the set threatening to go the distance.

But the American was gifted an opportunity to serve for the match when Kostyuk committed an ill-timed double-fault in game 11. Pegula made her fourth break point count, then sealed the deal on her own serve.

She will now face Noskova in her final match, knowing another victory will be required if she is to have any chance of advancing. 

The winning moment  A first victory at the 2026 FAGE WTA Finals for @JPegula! She defeats Kostyuk 6-2, 7-5. #FAGEWTAFinals | #TheUltimateStage https://t.co/fRIqB1d5Pj

— wta (@WTA) November 10, 2026

Home is where the heart is for Pegula

Pegula's victory was her 25th on American soil this year, making her just the third player since 2010 to reach that figure, and the first from the United States. 

Iga Swiatek in 2022 (27 wins at the end of that season) and Caroline Wozniacki in 2010 (25) were the previous players to do so.

And, at the age of 32, Pegula is the fifth-oldest player to claim a match win at the WTA Finals. 

Only Venus Williams (37), Flavia Pennetta, Nathalie Tauziat and Serena Williams (all 33) have won a match at the tournament while older than Pegula.

Coming into the event, Pegula had not beaten any of her three group-stage opponents in 2026, so Tuesday's victory – which came in one hour and 29 minutes – should provide her with a major confidence boost.