In an impressive display of determination, Coco Gauff triumphed despite facing challenges with her serve, overcoming a total of seven double faults to secure a victory over Jasmine Paolini with a score of 6-4, 6-3 on Saturday. This victory propelled Gauff into the final of the Wuhan Open, showcasing her resilience on the court.
In a thrilling matchup, Gauff, who is currently ranked third in the world, is set to compete against fellow American Jessica Pegula in the title decider on Sunday. Pegula advanced to the final after pulling off a stunning comeback against the top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka, winning with scores of 2-6, 6-4, and a nail-biting 7-6 (2).
The encounter between Gauff and Paolini proved to be a hard-fought battle, where both players struggled to maintain strong service games. Gauff managed to edge out Paolini by converting on 7 out of 12 break points, a key factor in her victory. In a dramatic second set, Gauff faced adversity after dropping her serve three times in total, remarkably including a run of five consecutive double faults. Nevertheless, she composed herself impressively, winning the last four games to clinch her spot in the final.
"I did what I needed to do to get through," Gauff remarked after the match, illustrating her focus and drive to succeed.
At just 21 years old, Gauff has made a significant mark in the sport, notably leading the women’s tour in double faults this season with a staggering 378, which is over 120 more than her closest competitor. However, she's not just about numbers that raise eyebrows; she also holds a remarkable record with 13 victories over top-10 players in WTA 1000 events before turning 22, setting a high bar for others since 2009.
Paolini, ranked fifth, came into this match fresh off a victory against Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals. Interestingly, she had previously won all three matches against Gauff earlier in the same season.
Pegula’s path to the final highlights the competitiveness of American women’s tennis, marking only the third instance of an all-American final in WTA 1000 history since its establishment in 2009. Pegula had encountered and defeated Amanda Anisimova in the last all-American final in Toronto in 2024, making for an intriguing storyline in the match against Gauff.
Facing a daunting challenge, Pegula was down 5-2 in the pivotal third set but showcased remarkable grit by winning four consecutive games. Although she stumbled while attempting to serve for the match at 6-5, she held her nerve and secured the win in the tiebreaker against Sabalenka, who had been the defending champion and was riding an impressive 20-match winning streak at this esteemed tournament.
As we look forward to witnessing the final showdown between Gauff and Pegula, it raises a fascinating question: can Gauff break her recent losing streak against Pegula, or will Pegula continue her successful run? Share your thoughts on this upcoming clash in the comments below! How do you think Gauff's struggle with double faults will play into the final?
