After a week of taut tension and thrilling matches, Coco Gauff emerged triumphant in the 2025 Wuhan Open. She deafeated her compatriot Jessica Pegula 6–4, 7–5 in an all-American final to capture the Wuhan WTA 1000 title. This marks Gauff’s third WTA 1000 title and her 11th career singles trophy, adding to a season already crowned by her French Open victory.
A season of promise realized
Gauff’s 2025 has been a tale of peaks and challenges. Having already captured a Grand Slam at Roland Garros, she entered the Asian swing seeking to consolidate her status among the elite. Wuhan offered that chance.
She entered the final rounds with confidence, having beaten formidable opponents en route, and capitalized on the momentum. This title not only underlines her hard-court authority but also positions her as a heavyweight contender heading into the season’s climax at the WTA Finals in Riyadh.
Route to the final
Gauff’s journey through Wuhan was smooth and assertive. She did not drop a set in the entire tournament, demonstrating superb control over her game. In contrast, Pegula was battle-hardened, having prevailed in multiple three-set matches, including surging past Aryna Sabalenka in the semis to derail Sabalenka’s 20-match unbeaten streak in Wuhan.
Thus, the final was set: Gauff, with form, confidence, and momentum on her side; Pegula, with grit, experience, and a desire to spoil the party.
The final match narrative
Gauff started aggressively, pressing her serve, dictating the baseline, and building an early 4–1 lead. Pegula responded, fighting to level at 4–4, but in the 10th game she committed a string of unforced errors, which Gauff punished to break and take the set 6–4.
Pegula stormed ahead early, breaking Gauff and racing to a 3–0 cushion. It looked ominous. Yet Gauff dug deep. She steadied her serve, mixed in variety, came to the net at opportune moments, and reeled off four consecutive games to level the set at 3–3. Pegula held for 5–4. Serving at 5–6, Gauff broke again, then confirmed with a forehand winner to close out the set 7–5 and win the match in straight sets.
Keys to victory
- Unflappable under pressure: the second-set comeback was the defining stretch. Gauff resisted early setbacks, stayed aggressive, and refused to be pinned back.
- Serve & return balance: Gauff managed critical breaks at pivotal moments (especially in the 10th game of the first set and late in the second).
- Adaptability: she varied pace, used slices, net approaches, and depth changes to disrupt Pegula’s rhythm.
- Mental edge: against a foe known for three-set endurance, Gauff was determined to keep the match short and crisp: “You’re the three-set queen, so I was determined not to let you get there today,” she said during the trophy ceremony.
- Notably, Gauff became the first player to win the Wuhan Open without dropping a set.
Post-match respect & reflections
In the trophy presentation, Gauff turned to Pegula with warmth and gratitude: “When I came on tour, you were one of the first people to be nice to me and welcome me with open arms. That really went a long way … It’s great to finally play in the final against you.”
Pegula, gracious in defeat, spoke with admiration: “We’ve spent a lot of time together … even though I’m a bit older, I always admire and respect her so much.” Gauff’s emotional win added depth to her narrative as a rising champion who combines power with poise.
Significance of the title
This triumph in Wuhan carries several important implications:
- It’s Gauff’s third WTA 1000 title, adding to her growing legacy at the elite tier.
- She becomes only the second American to win the Wuhan Open, following in the footsteps of Venus Williams (2015)
- Gauff equaled a stunning mark: winning 9 consecutive hard-court finals, a feat previously matched only by Serena Williams.
- With the title, she powers into the season’s final stretch, the WTA Finals in Riyadh, armed with momentum, confidence, and proof that she can deliver under pressure.
The young American now heads into the season-ending WTA Finals brimming with confidence. With form, momentum, and belief on her side, she looks well-poised to defend her title. The story continues…