[Live commentary has concluded]
Serena Williams/Caroline Wozniacki vs Taylor Townsend/Asia Muhammad (4-6, 4-6)
9:21pm - Townsend holds without a scare and that's the match! Great win and an excellent match ... the difference was the struggles Wozniacki was having on serve.
9:17pm - Serena holds to love to keep her team in it .... but they trail 4-5.
9:14pm - Muhammad holds to love and she and Townsend are just one game away.
9:11pm - Wozniacki holds with comfort but they'll need to find a break as they trail a set and a break at 3-4.
9:08pm - Townsend holds with ease and they lead 4-2 now.
9:05pm - Serena holds with ease, but she and Caroline trail 2-3 in the second set and a break down.
9:02pm - Muhammad pulss out two big serves and they get out of jail ..... 3-1 second set.
8:59pm - Two break back points for Serena and Caroline.
8:57pm - And they get the break .... Caroline's serve has been the weak point for her team so far. Muhammad and Townsend lead 2-1 second set with a break.
8:56pm - Two break points for Muhammad and Townsend.
8:53pm - Townsend holds and we are all tied up in the second set.
8:50pm - Williams holds serve and she and Caroline have a 1-0 lead to start the second set.
8:44pm - Muhammad holds and thats the first set for the two Americans 6-4.
8:40pm - Serena holds serve but Muhammad will have a chance to serve for the first set at 5-5.
8:38pm - They can't get it done and Serena now serving to stay in the first set ...... 3-5.
8:37pm - Break back point now for Williams and Wozniacki.
8:32pm - Break for Muhammad and Townsend .... they lead 4-3 first set.
8:26pm - 3-2 now as Serena holds serve.
8:23pm - And that's the break back for Serena and Caroline .... 2-2 first set.
8:21pm - Four break points for Williams and Wozniacki ....no advantage points in doubles.
8:18pm - Muhammad and Townsend break Caroline and they lead 2-1 first set.
8:12pm - Williams and Caroline hold serve for a 1-0 lead.
8:06pm - Just about set to go for the doubles final.
Serena Williams v Jessica Pegula (6-3, 6-4)
Singles final wrap: Pegula put up a hell of a fight, but couldn't quite hand with the GOAT during key points. Of course she has to come back in an hour or so to contest the doubles final.
6:48pm - That's it! Serena Williams puts away a smash and has a first title in three years.
6:47pm - Serena up 40-0 .... three tournament points.
6:44pm - Pegula holds, putting it back on Serena to serve for the tournament.
6:43pm - And again .... longer rally this time but Serena hits a forehand long.
6:42pm - She survives a second with another big serve.
6:41pm - Pegula survives a match point with a big serve.
6:37pm - Williams holds ... just ... and is one game away from a ASB Classic crown.
6:31pm - Pegula survives a break point and holds, but Williams leads 4-3 in the second.
6:27pm - Serena holds to love and has a 4-1 lead in the second.
6:23pm - Pegula hold with ease, but still trails 3-2 with a service break.
6:21pm - Pegula is game ... exchanginh hard-hitting rallies from the naseline but Serena just has that extra gear. She holds for a 3-1 lead.
6:16pm - Serena breaks to love and takes a 2-1 lead.
6:14pm - Serena hold with ease .... 1-1.
6:10pm - Pegula survives three break points to open the second set and has a 1-0 lead.
6pm - Just like that, Williams has the first set - dominance from the GOAT after her ealry hiccup, should cruise through the next set.
5:52pm - Horrible service game, and Williams breaks, she will serve for the set.
5:47pm - Williams holds to love and has her first lead of the match.
5:45pm - Williams breaks back and back on song - 3-3.
5:31pm - Serena fights back from a couple of break points down to hold her serve.
5:22pm - Pegula is right up for this, she holds her nerve in the second game to take a 2-0 lead.
5:17pm - Cracking first game, Pegula breaks Williams and takes a 1-0 lead.
5:07pm - Both ladies are on court and are warming up.
Kia ora, good afternoon and welcome to Newshub's live coverage of the finals day of the 2020 ASB Classic.
TAB Odds: Serena Williams $1.13 Jessuca Pegula $5.20
Jessica Pegula targets second career title in Auckland against Serena Williams
After winning through to face Serena Williams in the final of Auckland's ASB Classic, the first thing Jessica Pegula did was apologise.
She had just come from the clouds to beat Caroline Wozniacki 3-6 6-4 6-0 in Saturday's semi-final, and knew it was unpopular.
"I know everyone wanted a Serena-Caroline final but I had to ruin it," she said.
Behind her bashfulness, Pegula was beaming.
The unseeded 25-year-old, despite one WTA title to her name, secured "probably my biggest win" in graduating to a third career final and a first clash with her childhood role model Williams - a 23-time Grand Slam winner.
If nothing else, it will allow her to change her answer to the question she's most asked off the court.
"Every single person asks 'have you played Serena' and I'm like, 'No I haven't'," she said.
"Now I can say yes. My credibility goes up - way, way up.
"It's cool I get to play her in a final. No matter what, I'm gonna have that picture with her and the trophies and the pre-match - that'll be cool.
"I was definitely a huge fan of both of the Williams sisters growing up. She's the greatest player of all time so there's a ton of respect there."
Williams, gunning for her first title in three years, scorched a path to the final with a 6-1 6-1 thrashing of Amanda Anisimova.
Pegula was watching in the clubhouse next door.
"It seemed like she was on ... I was like 'oh okay, that'll be fun tomorrow'. I'm glad it wasn't me today," she said.
"She was doing what she does sometimes and that's dominate. It's why she's the best of all time.
"I'm going in thinking I can win. I'll take it one point at a time."
AAP
