WTA Finals 2024: Jessica Pegula withdraws with injury; Daria Kasatkina to play final group match

Daria Kasatkina will be competing in the WTA Finals for the second time.

Jessica Pegula will not be playing her third and final group stage match in the WTA Finals 2024. She has withdrawn from the event due to an injury in her left knee. Pegula will be replaced by Daria Kasatkina who will be playing the American’s final battle in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Pegula had lost both her matches in straight sets.

The 30-year-old was playing in the season ending championships for the third consecutive year. She had reached the finals last year while losing to Iga Swiatek and had lost all three group stage matches in 2022. This time Pegula had lost her opening match against Coco Gauff and then was beaten by Barbora Krejcikova.

Pegula had earlier announced her withdrawal from the Billie Jean King Cup which will start from November 13. She had stated that the injury became worse after the opening match. With Pegula’s absence Kasatkina will be playing only a single match in the hardcourts of Riyadh. She will be facing Iga Swiatek on November 7 on centre court.

Also Read: Aryna Sabalenka confirmed to end 2024 as year-end WTA World No 1 for the first time

Kasatkina will be making her second appearance at the WTA Finals as she had made her debut in 2022. The 27-year-old secured one win in three matches during her outing last time. She lost against Swiatek and Caroline Garcia but managed to defeat Coco Gauff. This time Kasatkina will hope to record her second win over Swiatek.

The world No#2 has five wins over Kasatkina in six matches. Their first meeting was in the round of 16 in Eastbourne where the Polish player lost in three sets. Since then Kasatkina has been in a five match losing streak and will face Swiatek for the first time since WTA Finals 2022. Swiatek will be determined to beat Kastkina to assure a semi-final berth.

Meanwhile Kasatkina has nothing to lose and will play without any pressure. The result will not matter to her as it will be the only match she plays. Kasatkina could derail Swiatek’s hopes of a semi-final spot as a defeat would mean an exit for the defending champion. Swiatek will aim for a win to continue her title defence.

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