Coco Gauff overcame a lower back injury to defeat Marta Kostyuk 6-4 7-5 at Indian Wells, keeping her hopes alive at the WTA Finals.
The American player required treatment on her lower back midway through the match as she faced a 5-1 deficit in the second set. Rather than conceding the frame, she won six games in a row to secure the victory.
Gauff produced nine double faults against a single ace throughout the contest, noting that the physical strain disrupted her service motion. “Physically, I wasn’t at my best, which I’m not really used to,” Gauff told Sky Sports, describing the match as “a mental challenge, learning how to play through that.”
It marks the second time during the tournament that Gauff has overturned a 5-1 deficit, having done the same to beat Jessica Pegula on Sunday. She admitted she was not expecting it to happen again and was already preparing herself for a third set before her sudden surge.
I asked my physio at 5-2 down, what can I do on the bathroom break [between sets] to try and loosen up. And then there was no bathroom break!
Coco Gauff
The long tennis season has taken a toll on a number of players in the season-ending finals. Kostyuk entered the tournament as a late call-up after Elena Rybakina’s withdrawal and played through a wrist injury that has been hampering her since August.
The Ukrainian player also struggled to generate pace and spin because of her wrist problem. Despite the physical limitations on both sides of the net, Gauff was able to swing hard and ultimately outlast her opponent.
Securing the win against Kostyuk preserves Gauff’s path to the tournament’s last four. However, reaching the knockout rounds remains out of her direct control.
Gauff needs Linda Noskova to beat Pegula in the final group match if she is to reach the semi-finals.
Earlier coverage: Coco Gauff Defeats Jessica Pegula in Three-Set WTA Finals Opener
