AT A GLANCE
- Gauff claimed her 11th career title and second of 2025.
- The 21-year-old rallied from 3–5 down in the second set.
- Pegula, 31, was coming off a semifinal win over world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
- Gauff is the first American since Venus Williams (2015) to win Wuhan.
The 21-Year-Old Clinched Her 11th Career Title and Second of the Year, Rallying From 3-5 Down in the Second Set to Seal the Win
Coco Gauff overcame a late deficit to defeat fellow American Jessica Pegula 6–4, 7–5 in the Wuhan Open final on Sunday, clinching her second title of the year and the 11th of her young career.
The 21-year-old French Open champion showed composure under pressure, reeling off four straight games after trailing 3–5 in the second set. Gauff held serve to stay alive, broke Pegula to love, and sealed the match with a forehand winner after a short rally.
“Winning every match in straight sets, I don’t know if I’ve done that before on a title run,” Gauff said. “I’m just really proud of what I accomplished this week, regardless of the result today.”
Pegula Falls Short After Beating Sabalenka in Semifinals
Pegula, 31, entered the final after an impressive win over top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka but was unable to maintain her momentum. Her forehand volley at 5–6 in the second set drifted wide, handing Gauff match point and, ultimately, the title.
Despite the loss, Pegula praised her compatriot. “We’ve spent a lot of time together and, even though I’m a bit older, I always admire and respect her so much. She’s just so mature for her age.”
Gauff returned the sentiment during the trophy ceremony: “When I came on tour, you were one of the first people to be nice to me and welcome me with open arms. That really went a long way.”
A New Chapter in U.S. Tennis
It was the first final meeting between the two Americans, who share a successful doubles partnership on the WTA Tour. Pegula still leads their head-to-head 4–3 overall, but Gauff joins Venus Williams as the only other American to win in Wuhan.
With the victory, Gauff improves to 11–3 in career finals, reinforcing her position as one of tennis’s brightest stars heading into the final stretch of the season.
