CANCUN, Mexico — A year ago in Fort Worth, Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula struggled in their first-ever WTA Finals appearance.
Both lost three singles matches and were 0-3 as a doubles partner. Gauff lost in straight sets to Daria Kasatkina, Caroline Garcia and Iga Swiatek, while Pegula only played against Aryna Sabalenka, Maria Sakkari only managed one set against Ons Jabr. Although they were both top-10 finishers, these results were disappointing for Team USA.
“I think we were really exhausted last year,” Pegula told reporters at the GNP Seguros WTA Finals in Cancun on Saturday. “It’s probably the accumulation of doing a lot of work in singles and doubles, coming at the end of the year and having a good year, but sometimes you’re not used to having consistency throughout the year.
“I think we feel a lot better this year. I’m a lot better mentally prepared for what to expect coming here. Now this isn’t my first time in the Finals, I know what to expect, I know what to expect. Hopefully I can use this as a way to better prepare myself mentally and physically this year and get better results.”
On Sunday, the first day of the WTA Finals, the four singles players in Bacalar’s group, including top-ranked Sabalenka, were in the competition.
(4) Elena Rybakina vs. (5) Jessica Pegula
Rybakina’s case: No one in the Elite Eight in Cancun has a better winning percentage against top 10 players this year than Rybakina – she has a 6-2 record, both games coming after winning the first set before losing to Sa. Barenka (Australian Open final) and Jabour (Wimbledon quarter-finals).
In the year-end finals, the gap to the top players is getting smaller and smaller, and the serve may be the most important tool. Rybakina produced the best ace and double error of all players, close to positive five. Only Garcia, winner of last year’s WTA Finals in Fort Worth, is older than four.
The seaside breeze at Paradise Stadium will bring a serious challenge to her most powerful weapon.
“I needed to make adjustments because the wind was very strong,” Rybakina told reporters. “I don’t know how the game is going to be. We are all in the same conditions, it’s just a question of how the game will turn out.
“I’m definitely going to stick to my game. I’m going to continue to try to be aggressive.”
Pegula’s case: No Holoji WTA Tour player performed better on the hard courts this year. Pegula has played 41 games and won two hard-court titles in Montreal and Seoul.
There are three other historical reasons to like Pegula.
First, she defeated Rybakina 2-1 in 2022 but lost in Miami this year. Secondly, there’s something about Mexico – she’s 5-0 in WTA main draws in Mexico, where she won the title in Guadalajara last year. Third, she performed well against top ten players, winning three straight games, against Gauff and Swiatek in Montreal and against Sakkari in Tokyo.
Pegula had to be aggressive against Rybakina and take advantage of the few break points she saw.
“It’s always difficult to play against such a big server, such strong players, because sometimes if they feel their game and they’re really into it, there’s not much you can do,” she said. “I think I played well against these types of players, so I have to give it my all tomorrow and not get frustrated if her level is really high and do my best.”
(1) Aryna Sabalenka vs. (8) Maria Sakkari
The case of Sabalenka: As Pegula and Gauff have proven, the WTA Finals can be a bit daunting for first-time qualifiers.
Two years ago in Guadalajara, Sabalenka had 1 win and 2 losses in the round robin and failed to reach the quarterfinals. She spoke to reporters on Saturday about her journey to the finals at last year’s year-end event in Fort Worth.
“If you win the first game, you have to stop counting and think about what should I do, I don’t know, how to qualify,” Sabalenka said. “You just have to focus on yourself and your game and stop thinking. That’s the most important thing, focus on your game.
“You don’t have to overdo it in the finals. “It’s just another game but in a different format. “
Sabalenka could become the first player since Serena Williams (2013-14) to reach consecutive WTA Finals finals.
The head-to-head record clearly favors Sabalenka. She won six of nine games. This year, she won the pair’s only previous hard-court meeting in straight sets in the Indian Wells semifinals. Her overall record this year is 2-0.
Sakari’s case: Technically, Sakkari didn’t qualify for the singles, but he made it to the final when Karolina Muchova withdrew with a right wrist injury. Experience was on her side. Of the players gathered here, she and Sabalenka have played the most games against top ten players, 58 and 56 respectively.
It might be a good thing for Sakkari to play with that money. After a frustrating spell on hard courts during the summer, she decided to play with more joy and less stress. result? The biggest championship of her career came in Guadalajara. The circumstances of this tournament should allow her to continue that vibe.
“That was the key,” she said of her attitude adjustment. “That’s why I think I positioned myself in the best position to be the first substitute and then end up in the last spot. Yes, the people here love me and I love them. I’ve said it many times: There is a special connection.
“This week is a celebration for me. I’m excited to be here and play in the Finals again because I think making it to three finals in a row is a great achievement. I’m just going to go out there and enjoy it.”
Double action:
The No. 1 seed, featuring Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula, will face No. 7 Gabriela Dabrowski in a game that ends ) and Erin Routliffe.
The first match of the tournament pits No. 3 Shuko Aoyama against Ena Shibahara. No.5 Desirae Krawczyk and Demi Schuurs.