Gauff rallies past Kostyuk to keep WTA Finals semi-final hopes alive

Coco Gauff kept her WTA Finals campaign alive with a 6-4 7-5 victory over Marta Kostyuk at Indian Wells, overcoming a back problem and a substantial second-set deficit. BBC Sport reported that the American needed a win to remain in contention for the semi-finals, but the result alone did not secure her place in the last four.

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Gauff must also have Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova beat Jessica Pegula in the final group match to advance. The world number four's victory therefore left her waiting on another result after a contest in which both players required treatment. Kostyuk, who entered the season-ending event following Elena Rybakina's withdrawal, was managing a wrist problem that has troubled her since August.

The opening set required a recovery of its own. Gauff fell an early break behind before turning the set around, but her difficulties became more pronounced in the second. She called for a trainer while trailing 3-0 and received treatment on her lower back. Kostyuk saved three break points during that stretch and subsequently established a double-break advantage.

At 5-1, the Ukrainian was one game away from taking the match into a deciding set. Instead, Gauff won the next six games to close out the victory in straight sets. It was her second escape from that scoreline at this tournament, having also recovered from 5-1 down against Pegula on Sunday. This time, Gauff had been preparing for the match to go the distance.

Speaking to Sky Sports in comments carried by the BBC, Gauff explained that she had asked her physiotherapist at 5-2 what she could do during the break between sets to loosen her back. That interval never became necessary. She described the match as a mental test because playing while physically restricted was unfamiliar territory for her.

The discomfort also affected her service motion, Gauff said afterwards. She finished with nine double faults and one ace, while Kostyuk's wrist restricted the pace and spin she could produce. Despite limited movement, Gauff continued hitting aggressively with support from the crowd, completing the comeback and preserving her chance of progressing.