Gauff remains unbeaten in her Wuhan Open finals, making history with a perfect 9-0 record on hard courts

In the Wuhan Open women's singles final, American rising star Gauff showcased her growing command over matches by beating fellow American Pegula 6-4, 7-5 to win her inaugural Wuhan Open singles crown. This triumph brought her a second title for the season and established her as the tournament’s champion who lost the fewest games (25) on the way to the title without conceding a set.

The match did not proceed without difficulties. In the second set, Gauff found herself trailing 3-5, facing the risk of a deciding set. However, this young player displayed mental strength beyond her years, winning four consecutive games to turn the match around and secure victory. “I feel China is a lucky place for me,” Gauff said in a post-match interview, “because this result is the exact opposite of last year.”

Looking back at Gauff’s path to the final, her dominance was impressive: she crushed Nishioka 6-1, 6-0 in the second round, easily defeated Sigmund 6-3, 6-0 in the quarterfinals, and overcame the seventh seed Boulini 6-4, 6-3 in the semifinals, facing no real challenges along the way.

The final’s statistics highlighted Gauff’s efficiency: she served 4 aces and committed only 12 unforced errors, far fewer than Pegula’s 24. This win also set a new record: a flawless 9-0 record in hard court finals, making her the first player in the Open Era to achieve this feat at the tournament.

Many fans hailed this final as “one of the most exciting and watchable tour finals of 2025.” Although it wasn’t a classic three-set battle, the two top singles and doubles specialists delivered a rich, tactically varied contest. Baseline variation, delicate touch shots, and net exchanges alternated, showcasing the diverse appeal of modern tennis.

Gauff’s tactical execution was especially commendable. She only occasionally used her deadly backhand down the line in the second set, thanks to her excellent forehand crosscourt shots in the first. Originally a defensive counterpuncher, Gauff’s forehand has significantly improved, allowing her to use both forehand and backhand slices from the baseline to disrupt her opponent’s rhythm while conserving energy and managing her breathing for upcoming attacks.

“I’m very grateful to the Chinese fans for cheering me on; it made me feel very relaxed,” Gauff said emotionally after winning. She also revealed a special plan: “This timing is perfect because at the end of a season you can have a great finish, which is really nice. Maybe next year I’ll visit the Forbidden City again, and that might fulfill a wish I had then.”

This Wuhan Open trophy is Gauff’s third WTA 1000-level title in her career and her second of the season following the French Open. This victory not only boosted her confidence but also added another wonderful memory to her journey in China. From last year’s loss to this year’s triumph, Gauff’s flawless performance in China seems to have forged a special bond with this Eastern land.(Source: Tennis Home Author: Mei)