Coco Gauff got off to a winning start on Sunday at the WTA Finals, ending a three-match loss streak to American compatriot Jessica Pegula with a 6-3, 6-2 group win.

World No. 3 Gauff broke five times in eight Pegula service games on her way to the win in Riyadh.

Pegula, US Open runner-up to Aryna Sabalenka, had won four of five previous matches against her compatriot and came to the season-ender with a Toronto title and finals in Cincinnati and New York.

Gauff won the China Open last month in Beijing and played the Wuhan final. The 20-year-old finished her match in Riyadh with 16 winners.

“I thought we both were playing a high level,” Gauff said. “I just think I was able to break through on the more important points.”

Gauff now plays world No. 2 Swiatek for a 13th time, owning just one win against the Pole. 

Carlos Alcaraz ran into trouble on Thursday in the form of Tomas Machac as the Czech put an end to Carlos Alcaraz’s 12-match winning streak in emphatic fashion on Thursday to reach the last four at the Rolex Shanghai Masters.

Machac, who turns 24 on Sunday’s finals day in China, earned a 7-6 (5), 7- upset in just under two hours; he claimed a second top five opponent after ousting Novak Djokovic in Geneva five months ago on clay.

Alcaraz was bidding for a second straight Chinese trophy after winning Beijing with a defeat of Jannik Sinner.

“I’m playing the best right now, for sure,” the winner said. “With these types of players, I have to play this level otherwise you go home, there is no other option.”

The Czech added: “I knew that I had a chance but you never know, even with a set and 5-4 it’s still so far from winning the match.”

Machac’s win was revenge for a loss he took to Alcaraz last month in Davis Cup play in Valencia when he had to retire.

“I played great tennis against him in the Davis Cup, but there was this level (for) only one set. Today it was two, so it was enough.”

Machac advanced into a semi-final with Sinner thanks to 20 winners 

After becoming the fourth lowest-ranked semi-finalist in Shanghai tournament history, Machac will bid to level his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Sinner after falling to a 6-4, 6-2 defeat in the quarter-finals of the ATP Masters 1000 in Miami.

“I am looking forward to it,” Machac said of his upcoming clash with Sinner. “I am really enjoying it and am happy that I can play against the best [players].”

Novak Djokovic unleashed on Roman Safiullin for an imposing 6-3, 6-2 win into the Shanghai Masters quarter-finals for a 10th time on Wednesday.

The fourth seed who has started limiting his competitive schedule, left nothing to chance as he blasted his opponent in the quest for a 100th career title on Sunday

Djokovic could not have been more impressed with his performance 24 hours after another rout in China.

“Both last night’s match and tonight have been, maybe, some of the best matches I have played in a while,” the 37-year-old said.

“I’m just enjoying myself on the court. When you play well and feel good, there is obviously a lot of joy in striking a tennis ball on the court.”

The 24-time Grand Slam champion added: “These sensations I have on the court are some of the reasons why I keep on playing and keep on competing.

“I really believe that I can play at a very high level. Now, it’s a matter of keeping that consistency and also having a good time off the court.”

The Serb will bid for the semi-finals against teenaged Jakub Mensik, who upst top 10 competitor Grigor Dimitrov 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. The 19-year-old is now the youngest quarter-finalist in tournament history.

Djokovic owns the record 40 ATP Masters 1000 titles and stands provisional eighth in the race to the season Finals in Turin next month.

Main photo:- Novak Djokovic wins through to Shanghai quarter finals by ATPTour.com