Gauff wins Wuhan Open over Pegula to take third WTA 1000 title

Coco Gauff rallied from a deficit in the second set to beat fellow American Jessica Pegula 6-4, 7-5 on Sunday at the Wuhan Open, capturing the WTA 1000 title in Wuhan, China. The 21-year-old world number three closed out the all-American final with four consecutive games and did not drop a set all week, sealing her 11th career singles trophy and her third WTA 1000 crown.

Gauff trailed 0-3 in the second set before holding to stay in the set, then breaking Pegula to love to pull back to 5-5. Pegula’s forehand volley sailed wide on match point and Gauff finished the match with a forehand winner after a brief rally. The final lasted about one hour and 42 minutes, and Gauff’s run through the draw was notable for its consistency; she conceded 25 games across five matches en route to the title.

Pegula, 31, reached the final after a dramatic semifinal in which she ended Aryna Sabalenka’s long Wuhan winning streak. She had played a string of three-set matches through the tournament and appeared to show signs of fatigue in the title match. Afterward she congratulated Gauff, saying, “You played amazing tennis this week,” and added that it was an honor to compete against a friend and compatriot.