Coco Gauff makes a heart gesture with her hands after beating Jessica Pegula at the WTA FinalsImage source, Getty Images
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Coco Gauff is the number four seed at the WTA Finals

ByHarry Poole, BBC Sport journalist and Ffion Wynne, BBC Sport Journalist

Coco Gauff battled to a three-set victory over fellow American Jessica Pegula as she made a winning start to the WTA Finals.

Gauff, the 2024 champion, demonstrated resilience and superb athleticism to overcome 2023 runner-up Pegula 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 at Indian Wells in California.

Gauff - at 22, the youngest player to appear at five consecutive WTA Finals since Martina Hingis in 2000 - last competed at the China Open in early October.