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Coco Gauff wins the Wuhan Open, defeating Jessica Pegula 6-4, 7-5, becoming the only woman to win her first nine WTA hardcourt finals and claiming her third WTA 1000 title.
Coco Gauff has proven to be near-unbeatable on hard court (X)
Coco Gauff continues to make history.
The 21-year-old American claimed the Wuhan Open title on Sunday, defeating compatriot Jessica Pegula 6-4, 7-5 in an all-American showdown that showcased her poise, resilience, and dominance on the biggest stages.
The victory gave Gauff her third WTA 1000 title and 11th career trophy, but the real headline lies in the record books — she is now the only woman in history to win her first nine WTA hardcourt finals.
Making History, One Hardcourt Final at a Time
In a match lasting one hour and 42 minutes, Gauff sealed the Wuhan title without dropping a single set throughout the tournament.
By extending her flawless streak to 9-0 in hardcourt finals, Gauff achieved something that even legends like Serena Williams, Steffi Graf, and Maria Sharapova never managed.
The All-American Final That Delivered
Sunday’s final marked the first singles meeting between Gauff and her former doubles partner Pegula in a championship match — and it lived up to its billing.
Gauff raced to a 3-0 lead after winning the first six points of the match, setting the tone early. Pegula, ever the fighter, clawed her way back with a blistering backhand break in the seventh game to level at 4-4. But Gauff stayed composed, pouncing on a narrow opening two games later to capture the first set in 47 minutes.
Pegula, who had battled through three-set marathons in all her previous rounds, looked primed for another comeback. The world No. 6 had survived a thriller against Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals — rallying from 2-5 down in the third set — and tried to summon the same energy again.
Gauff’s Serve — Still a Work in Progress, but Working When It Matters
Since teaming up with biomechanics specialist Gavin MacMillan in late August, Gauff has been fine-tuning her serve — long seen as her biggest inconsistency.
While she double-faulted six times in the final, including twice during a shaky start that saw her fall behind 0-3 in the second set, her mental fortitude never wavered. She broke back twice, winning ten straight points at one stage to wrestle control of the match back from Pegula.
When Pegula sent a volley wide on match point, Gauff raised her arms in disbelief — another milestone secured, another statement made.
A Champion Cementing Her Legacy
Gauff has now added another major milestone to her already glittering resume, which includes the 2023 US Open title, a WTA Finals appearance, and a steady climb to World No. 3 in the rankings.
(with AFP inputs)
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term…Read More
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term… Read More
October 12, 2025, 6:37 PM IST
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