Coco Gauff capped off a stellar week in style, reeling off four straight games to close out fellow American Jessica Pegula 6-4, 7-5 in the final of the WTA 1000 event. The victory marked Gauff’s second title of the year, with her first coming at the French Open, where she toppled World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a three-set thriller, 6-7, 6-2, 6-4. With this win, the 21-year-old now boasts 11 career titles.

For Gauff, this triumph carried extra significance. By lifting the Wuhan Open trophy, she became the first player in the Open Era to win her first nine hard-court finals. Ultimately, speaking to Arab News after the match, Coco Gauff reflected on what the win means to her, calling it “really special.” She added that qualifying early for the WTA Finals in Riyadh is something she’s genuinely proud of, emphasizing her drive to keep improving and climbing the rankings.

“I think it means a lot to me,” Coco Gauff said, reflecting on her qualification for the WTA Finals. “It shows that I am definitely not falling behind, and I want to continue to improve and get higher in the ranking points and do well. But I think for me, just qualifying for this, especially a bit early, like I think I consider early, not having to play the other tournaments, I think just is, I don’t know, it just feels great. This is a prestigious tournament, one that I always look forward to playing and being a part of.”

The WTA Finals mark the grand finale of the women’s tennis season, featuring the top eight players from across the globe. This year, Gauff will arrive in Riyadh as the defending champion. Last season, she lifted the title after an incredible comeback win over China’s Zheng Qinwen, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6. Now, the Florida native will return to Saudi Arabia aiming to defend her crown in what will be just the second edition of the tournament hosted in Riyadh. But can she win?

The odds were stacked against Gauff – the H2H tally between Gauff and Pegula stood at 2-4 respectively before this summit clash. Despite some early serving struggles at the Wuhan Open, Coco Gauff’s return game was the great equalizer. She fought back with a double break of her own, ultimately posting a commanding 74 percent first-serve rate compared to Pegula’s 51. The American finished with more points won on both first and second serves and proved the steadier player when it mattered most.

Pegula had the chance to serve out the set at 5-3, but Gauff stormed back to reel off four straight games, sealing the victory with a forehand winner and a roar that echoed through the Optics Valley International Tennis Centre. Afterward, Gauff surprised the “three-set queen” Pegula with a heartfelt post-match message that left fans smiling. So what did she say?

Coco Gauff vows to take control of her clash

During her victory speech, Coco Gauff gave fans a glimpse into the strategic and emotional mindset that fueled her win, delivering a heartfelt message to her friend and opponent, Jessica Pegula. “You’re the three-set queen,” Gauff said, as reported by The National News. “So I was determined not to let you get there today because I felt like the odds would be in your favor in the third set.”

And honestly, the title “three-set queen” perfectly captured Pegula’s resilience in recent weeks. The American veteran had fought her way through eight straight three-setters in China, including an unforgettable semifinal comeback from 5-2 down in the deciding set against World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, ending the defending champion’s 20-match winning streak in Wuhan. That trademark grit made Pegula one of the toughest outs on tour, and Gauff knew she couldn’t afford to let the match stretch to a decider.

The 21-year-old further expressed heartfelt gratitude toward Pegula for her kindness and guidance, reflecting a deep bond that goes far beyond the tennis court. “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, so I appreciate you,” Gauff said. In the end, she closed her speech by celebrating their friendship, adding, “It’s great to finally play in a final against you… It’s an honor to share the court with you.”

Pegula, who held a 4-2 head-to-head advantage before the final, later, smiled warmly and acknowledged the moment, a perfect reflection of mutual respect between two of America’s finest players. That said, can Coco Gauff carry this momentum into the WTA Finals and successfully defend her title in Riyadh? What do you think?