Coco Gauff claimed victory at the Wuhan Open by winning against Jessica Pegula in an all-American final, securing a 6-4, 7-5 triumph after a string of four consecutive game wins. This marked Gauff’s second title this year, following her success at the French Open on a clay court, bringing her total career titles to 11.
In a tense moment during the match, the third-ranked Gauff faced a challenging situation in the second set when she was 5-3 down. However, she managed to hold her serve and then broke Pegula, ranked sixth, without conceding a point, leveling the score at 5-5. Gauff eventually clinched the match with a forehand winner after a brief rally, as Pegula faltered on her second serve.
Reflecting on her performance, Gauff expressed satisfaction with her straight-sets victories throughout the tournament, a feat she had not accomplished before during a title-winning campaign. Regardless of the final result, she felt proud of her achievements during the week.
The Wuhan Open final saw Pegula, aged 31, coming off a strong victory against top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals. However, she could not maintain her momentum in the final, missing out on her potential 10th career title. Gauff’s win made her the second American champion at the Wuhan Open, following in the footsteps of Venus Williams, who claimed the title in 2015.
This final matchup marked the seventh meeting between Gauff and Pegula, their first in a championship showdown. Pegula holds a 4-3 advantage in their overall head-to-head record, having also enjoyed success with Gauff in WTA doubles competitions.
During the trophy ceremony, Gauff expressed her gratitude to Pegula for the warm welcome she received when joining the tour, highlighting their friendship and mutual respect. Gauff’s finals record improved to 11-3, while Pegula’s finals record dropped to 9-11 following this match.
Pegula commended Gauff for her maturity and talent, emphasizing her admiration for the younger player despite the age gap. Both players acknowledged their close relationship and expressed hopes for more competitive encounters in the future.
