Coco Gauff claimed her 11th career WTA singles title by defeating fellow American Jessica Pegula 6-4, 7-5 in the Wuhan Open final, on October 12, 2025. The 21-year-old displayed remarkable composure under pressure, fighting back from a 0-3 deficit in the second set to secure the straight-sets victory. The win marked Gauff’s third WTA 1000 title and second trophy of the 2025 season, having already lifted the French Open earlier in the year. Gauff did not drop a single set throughout the tournament, underlining her dominance on the hard courts of China.
The all-American final carried extra emotional weight, as Gauff and Pegula were former doubles partners who shared a close off-court friendship. During her victory speech, Gauff thanked Pegula for her support early in her career, saying, “When I came on tour, you were one of the first people to be nice to me. I really appreciate you for that.” Pegula, 31, congratulated Gauff with grace, calling her “a superstar who keeps raising the bar.” It was a poignant moment between two generations of American tennis talent, representing both respect and rivalry.
Gauff’s comeback in the second set was one of the defining moments of the final. Down 3-5, she displayed the resilience that has become her trademark, reeling off four consecutive games to seal the title. Reflecting on the match, she said, “I just told myself to stay calm and keep fighting. Jessica’s one of the toughest players out there, so I had to raise my level.” The win also extended Gauff’s nine-match unbeaten streak in WTA finals on hard courts, a stat that drew comparisons to one of her biggest idols, Serena Williams.
According to Reuters, Gauff is now the first player since Serena Williams to win nine consecutive hard-court finals, matching a feat Serena achieved between 2013 and 2015. The comparison is fitting — both players have displayed extraordinary mental strength and a flair for rising to the occasion on big stages. “To even be mentioned in the same sentence as Serena means a lot,” Gauff said when asked about the milestone. “She’s one of the reasons I picked up a racket.” Her achievement highlights not just consistency, but an ability to perform under the brightest lights — a hallmark of champions.
The victory also gave Gauff significant momentum heading into the WTA Finals in Riyadh, where she will defend her 2024 title later this month. She expressed confidence about her form, telling reporters, “Winning here gives me a lot of belief. I’m feeling strong physically and mentally, and I just want to carry this energy into Riyadh.” Gauff’s Wuhan title boosts her ranking points, solidifying her position among the top three in the world and strengthening her bid to end the year as world No. 1 for the first time.
Pegula, meanwhile, could take solace in a strong tournament performance, which included a semifinal victory over world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, ending Sabalenka’s 20-match winning streak. Though disappointed, Pegula praised Gauff’s resilience: “She’s tough. Even when you’re up on her, she finds a way to turn things around.” The Wuhan Open final thus became not just a showcase of American excellence on the global stage, but also a reminder of Coco Gauff’s rapid rise toward the pinnacle of women’s tennis — a journey now drawing inevitable comparisons to the legends who came before her.
