Gauff beats Kostyuk 6-4 7-5 at Indian Wells despite back injury to keep WTA Finals semi-final bid alive

Coco Gauff beat Marta Kostyuk 6-4 7-5 at Indian Wells on 12 November 2026, playing through a lower-back problem to keep her hopes of reaching the WTA Finals semi-finals alive. The American required the win to remain in contention at the season-ending event and completed a comeback in the second set after trailing 5-1.

Gauff was visibly in pain during the match and received treatment on her lower back midway through the contest she needed to win to stay in the tournament. She overturned a 5-1 deficit by winning six consecutive games to close out the match, repeating a reversal she had previously executed against Jessica Pegula on Sunday.

Reflecting on her physical state afterwards, Gauff told Sky Sports: "Physically, I wasn't at my best, which I'm not really used to," adding, "It was like a mental challenge, learning how to play through that." She also described attempts to find relief during the encounter: "I asked my physio at 5-2 down, what can I do on the bathroom break [between sets] to try and loosen up," Gauff said. "And then there was no bathroom break!"

World number four Gauff recovered from an early break to take the first set, but ran into difficulty immediately in the second, calling for the trainer after falling 3-0. She soon trailed by a double break, with Kostyuk saving three break points in between, before Gauff mounted her recovery.

Kostyuk, representing Ukraine, also required on-court treatment because of a wrist problem that the article says has been hampering her since August; she had been a late call-up to the season-ending finals following Elena Rybakina's withdrawal. The wrist issue limited Kostyuk's ability to generate pace and spin during the match.

Gauff struggled with her serve throughout, producing nine double faults to one ace, and said she found it hard to complete her motion without pain. With her movement affected and the crowd behind her, Gauff was ultimately able to swing freely enough to outlast Kostyuk and secure the straight-sets victory.

Gauff will need Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova to beat Jessica Pegula in the final group match if she is to reach the semi-finals.