Today, Coco Gauff defeated her compatriot and friend Jessica Pegula 6-4, 7-5 to clinch the Wuhan Open title in an all-American final. The 21-year-old Gauff secured her third career WTA 1000 championship without dropping a set throughout the entire tournament, a feat that required her to overcome a significant challenge in the second set, where she battled back from a 3-0 deficit to ultimately triumph in one hour and 42 minutes.

This victory was particularly historic, as it made Gauff the first player in the Open Era to win her first nine hard-court finals. During the victory speech, Gauff revealed the strategic and emotional layers underlying her performance in a heartwarming address to 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.”

This nickname was a fitting tribute to Pegula’s extraordinary resilience in the preceding weeks, as she had battled through eight consecutive three-set matches in China, including a stunning semifinal comeback from 5-2 down in the third set against World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to end the defending champion’s 20-match Wuhan winning streak.

Coco Gauff’s tactical mission to secure a straight-sets victory was a direct response to Pegula’s proven endurance and fighting spirit. Beyond the competitive respect, Gauff’s speech took a deeply personal turn as she expressed her gratitude for Pegula’s friendship and mentorship.

“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 shared. She concluded by honoring their bond, stating, “It’s great to finally play in a final against you, and I hope for many more. It’s an honor to share the court with you.” Pegula, who had held a 4-2 head-to-head advantage over Gauff before the final, graciously acknowledged the moment as well.

Jessica Pegula had nothing but respect for Coco Gauff

“It’s an honor to play you, as a friend and fellow American in the final,” Jessica Pegula shared about Coco Gauff from the podium. “It’s our first final, so that was a lot of fun being able to play.” The final was such an exciting match, showcasing some top-notch tennis and some really intense swings in momentum.

Gauff kicked things off with a bang, jumping to a 3-0 lead. But Pegula wasn’t backing down and managed to even things up at 4-4 in the first set. In the end, Gauff broke back to take the set. In the second set, Pegula took advantage of a few double faults from Gauff and jumped to a 3-0 lead. But Gauff showed her toughness, using a clever mix of topspin and slice to throw Pegula off her game.

She then went on to win ten points in a row, taking charge and finishing the match strong. Gauff’s win was her 11th career singles title, adding another memorable moment to the friendly rivalry between two of America’s top players, characterized by both intense competition and a lot of respect for each other.