Coco Gauff Wins China Open To Improve To 7-0 In Hardcourt Finals

by · Forbes
BEIJING, CHINA - OCTOBER 6: Coco Gauff of the United States in action in the Women's Singles Final ... [+] match agains Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic on Day 14 of the China Open at National Tennis Center on October 06, 2024 in Beijing, China.(Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)Getty Images

Coco Gauff has won her first singles title since January — and her second career WTA 1000 championship.

With her 6-1, 6-3 victory over Karolina Muchova on Sunday, the world No. 6 captured the China Open title, her first title since winning Auckland back in January. Gauff won the title despite dropping the opening set in her first five matches.

Gauff also beat Muchova in the 2023 Cincinnati Open final for her first WTA 1000 title. She improved to 3-0 against Muchova.

With this latest win, she improved to 8-1 in finals and became the first player in the Open era to win her first seven hardcourt finals. She takes home $1,100,000 for winning the title.

It was Gauff’s first title after breaking up with coach Brad Gilbert following a successful 14-month partnership.

Carlos Alcaraz beat world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the men’s final in Beijing on Thursday.

Gauff moved up to No. 4 in the PIF Race to the WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia behind Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina.

The victory served as a confidence builder for Gauff who had a rough summer, losing in the third round of the Paris Olympics and the fourth round at the U.S. Open.

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Muchova, currently ranked No. 49 in the world, was coming off reaching the U.S. Open semifinals.

USA's Coco Gauff hits a return to Czech Republic's Karolina Muchova during their women's singles ... [+] final match at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing on October 6, 2024. (Photo by GREG BAKER / AFP) (Photo by GREG BAKER/AFP via Getty Images)AFP via Getty Images

Gauff banged out six aces against five double faults while winning 72% of first-serve points. She hit 24 winners against eight unforced errors and converted 5-of-9 break points.

In the first set, Gauff saved the one break point she faced and double-faulted just once

Gauff was 36-2 when winning the opening set so that bode well for her.

After getting broken to fall behind 0-2 in the second set, Gauff broke back with a running forehand winner up the line for 1-2.

Serving at 2-all, 0-40, Muchova double-faulted to give Gauff a 3-2 advantage.

With Muchova serving at 3-5, 15-40, Muchova sailed a backhand long, giving Gauff the title.