The 2026 WTA Finals got underway on Sunday, with Coco Gauff, Linda Noskova, Jessica Pegula and Marta Kostyuk in action in Group 1.

Elena Rybakina, the world No 1 and reigning WTA Finals champion, was replaced in Group 1 by first alternate Kostyuk after withdrawing due to illness.

In the opening match of the season-ending championships in Indian Wells, world No 8 Noskova earned a convincing 6-2, 6-4 win against 10th-ranked Kostyuk.

Noskova broke Kostyuk four times, including in all of the Ukrainian’s first three service games, while she lost her serve just once.

Following her victory on her WTA Finals debut, Noskova said: “I felt like I had to motivate myself just a little bit extra since it’s the end of the year.

“It’s the last week, and you really want to have the season over and see yourself on vacation. But this is a big week for me.”

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World No 4 Gauff then prevailed 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-2 in a pulsating all-American battle with world No 5 Pegula in the second match of the round robin stage.

In a thrilling second set, Pegula saved a match point at 5-6 after Gauff battled back from a 1-5 deficit.

After the match, Gauff said: “I think today, just staying in it. I felt like it was such a good match. High level from both of us.

“Mentally I think was the biggest difference. I didn’t get too high or get too low, and I think that even though I lost that match point in the second, I was able to reset.”

In the second round of matches in Group 1, Gauff will take on Noskova, and Pegula will face Kostyuk.

Gauff and Noskova’s ranking points from opening WTA Finals round robin wins

Gauff and Noskova each collected 200 WTA ranking points for their round robin victories in Indian Wells.

Pegula and Kostyuk have not added to their points totals as players do not receive any points for losing round robin matches at the WTA Finals.

2026 WTA Finals ranking points breakdown

Round robin win: 200 ranking points
Semi-final win: 400 ranking points
Final win: 500 ranking points
Unbeaten champion: 1,500 ranking points

Gauff and Noskova’s prize money from opening WTA Finals round robin wins

All eight qualifiers for the WTA Finals receive a participation fee of $220,000.

Gauff and Noskova have both secured an additional $230,000 as this is the fee earned for each win in the round robin stage.

2026 WTA Finals prize money breakdown 

Participation fee: $220,000
Round robin win: $230,000 per win
Semi-final win: $820,000
Final win: $1,640,000
Unbeaten champion: $3,370,000