Coco Gauff wins the Wuhan Open Championship Finals in China. Image: AP.
(The Post News)- Coco Gauff defeated another American, Jessica Pegula, 6-4, 7-5 in the final of the Wuhan Open on Sunday, capturing four straight games to seal the title.
At age 21, she won her 11th title in her career and her second of the year, adding to her clay-court victory at the French Open. She noted, “I won every match in straight sets this week. That may be the only time I’ve ever done that during a title run. I’m rather pleased with what I accomplished, regardless of today’s outcome,” in reference to her performance.
When Pegula led 5-3 late in the second set, Gauff, ranked third in the world, was under pressure. She levelled the match at 5-5 after holding service and breaking Pegula at love. Following a brief rally in which Pegula missed the net with a forehand volley, Gauff capitalized on Pegula’s second serve to gain match point and win the match with a forehand winner.
In the semi-finals, the 31-year-old Pegula overcame world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, but she was unable to maintain her momentum in the championship match. Gauff became the second American to win in Wuhan after Venus Williams. However, she lost the opportunity to claim her tenth career title.
It was Gauff and Pegula’s seventh meeting and their first in a championship match. The two have also had success as doubles partners, winning multiple WTA titles together, even though Pegula currently leads their head-to-head record 4-3.
Pegula described Gauff as “remarkably mature for her age.” “I truly respect and admire her, despite the fact that I am older,” expressed Pegula. Meanwhile, Gauff’s singles finals record increased to 11–3 with this victory, while Pegula’s fell to 9–11.
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