Coco Gauff ousted fellow American Jessica Pegula in straight sets on Sunday, Oct. 12, to win the Wuhan Open.
Gauff, ranked No. 3 in the world, claimed her second WTA title of the season, following her triumph in the French Open in June. She rallied from two breaks down in the second set by taking the final four games to prevail 6-4, 7-5 over the sixth-ranked Pegula.
With the victory, Gauff, 21, became the first woman in a decade to win nine consecutive hardcourt finals. Serena Williams was the last to do it when she won 12 in a row from 2013-15. Gauff also joined Venus Williams as the only American women to win the Wuhan title.
Pegula and Gauff, former doubles partners who won titles together in Miami and Doha in 2023, played against each other in a final for the first time in their career.
‘When I came on tour, you were one of the first people to be nice to me and welcome me with open arms. And that really goes a long way and still goes a long way,’ Gauff said during the trophy presentation of the 31-year-old Pegula.
‘So I appreciate you. And it’s great to finally play in a final against you.’