Gauff rallies past Kostyuk despite back pain to stay in WTA Finals contention

Coco Gauff kept her WTA Finals campaign alive with a 6-4 7-5 victory over Marta Kostyuk at Indian Wells, recovering from a substantial second-set deficit while dealing with lower-back pain. According to BBC Sport, the American needed to win to remain in contention for the semi-finals, but the result alone did not secure her qualification.

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Gauff had to recover from an early break of serve before taking the opening set. The second brought a more difficult spell: she fell 3-0 behind, called for the trainer and subsequently trailed 5-1. Kostyuk saved three break points during that stretch, leaving Gauff facing the prospect of a deciding set while struggling physically.

Instead, Gauff won the next six games to finish the match in straight sets. It was her second recovery from 5-1 down at this year's tournament, following a similar turnaround against Jessica Pegula on Sunday. The latest comeback preserved her chance of advancing, with the remaining group match between Pegula and Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova set to determine whether she progressed.

The back problem affected Gauff's serving as well as her movement. The world number four finished with nine double faults and one ace, and explained afterwards that completing her service motion caused pain. Speaking to Sky Sports, in comments reported by the BBC, she described having to adjust mentally to competing when she was not at her usual physical level.

Kostyuk was also managing an injury. The Ukrainian received treatment for a wrist problem that has troubled her since August and limited the pace and spin she could generate, the BBC reported. She had entered the season-ending tournament as a late replacement following Elena Rybakina's withdrawal, but could not convert her commanding second-set position into a route back into this match.

Gauff said she had already been considering how to loosen her back during a break between sets when she was trailing 5-2. Her late surge removed the need for that interval. Despite the victory, her place in the last four remained conditional: she needed Noskova to beat Pegula in the final group match.