Key Highlights
- Coco Gauff overcame a lower-back injury and a 5-1 deficit in the second set to defeat Marta Kostyuk 6-4, 7-5.
- Gauff produced nine double faults and one ace while managing pain during her service motion.
- The victory was Gauff’s second comeback from 5-1 down at the tournament and kept her bid to reach the semi-finals alive.
Coco Gauff battles past Marta Kostyuk despite injury
Coco Gauff showed her resilience by fighting through a lower-back injury to beat Marta Kostyuk 6-4, 7-5 at the season-ending finals. The world number four received treatment midway through the match and fell 5-1 behind in the second set before producing a remarkable six-game winning run to complete the victory.
Gauff said the physical difficulties created an unfamiliar mental test during the match. “Physically, I wasn’t at my best, which I’m not really used to,” Gauff told Sky Sports. “It was like a mental challenge, learning how to play through that.”
The demanding tennis season has affected several players, with Kostyuk also requiring treatment for a wrist injury that has troubled her since August. Kostyuk was a late addition to the season-ending finals after Elena Rybakina withdrew, and the Ukrainian struggled to generate her usual pace and spin because of the wrist problem.
Gauff overturns another 5-1 deficit
Gauff had already come back from 5-1 down at the tournament when she defeated Pegula on Sunday, but she acknowledged that she did not expect to repeat the feat against Kostyuk. After trailing 5-2 in the second set, Gauff was preparing for a deciding set and asked her physiotherapist about ways to loosen up during the bathroom break between sets.
“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.”
Gauff’s serve was a major source of difficulty throughout the match. She hit nine double faults compared with one ace and said she was struggling to complete her service motion without pain. She also called for the trainer after falling 3-0 behind in the second set, then quickly slipped two breaks behind as Kostyuk saved three break points.
Despite the injury limiting her movement, Gauff continued to strike the ball aggressively with the crowd behind her. She recovered from an early break in the opening set to take it 6-4, then resisted Kostyuk’s advantage in the second set to win 7-5 and remain in contention for a semi-final place.
“It’s the last tournament of the season so I just wanted to finish it on a high note and give myself the best chance to play the semi-finals. Either way, I didn’t want to be sad walking off the court,” said Gauff.
Why This Matters
Gauff’s win highlights both the physical demands of the long tennis season and the importance of resilience at the season-ending finals. The 22-year-old managed a back problem, an inconsistent serve and a significant second-set deficit while preserving her opportunity to reach the semi-finals. Kostyuk’s wrist issue also underscored the injury challenges affecting players late in the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the score between Coco Gauff and Marta Kostyuk?
Coco Gauff defeated Marta Kostyuk 6-4, 7-5.
What injury did Coco Gauff manage during the match?
Gauff received treatment for a lower-back injury and said pain affected her ability to complete her service motion.
How many times has Gauff overturned a 5-1 deficit at the tournament?
Gauff has overturned a 5-1 deficit twice at the tournament, first against Pegula on Sunday and then against Kostyuk.
