Coco Gauff displayed remarkable resilience as she triumphed over Jasmine Paolini with a score of 6-4, 6-3 in the semifinals of the Wuhan Open. This victory sets the stage for an exciting all-American final against Jessica Pegula, who narrowly defeated top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling match that ended with a scoreline of 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(2).
In her semifinal match, Gauff faced challenges on her serve, committing seven double faults. Despite these setbacks, she managed to win the crucial points when it mattered most, particularly in the second set, where she fought back from three breaks. Gauff notably found herself in a concerning stretch where she made five consecutive double faults, yet she regrouped and clinched the final four games to advance.
Gauff’s performance illustrated her determination, stating, “I did what I needed to do to get through.” The win propels her to the finals where she will face Pegula, against whom she holds a 2-4 record in their past encounters. This upcoming meeting is particularly significant as it will be the first final they’ve contested against one another.
Pegula’s path to the final was no less dramatic. After dropping the first set, she clawed back to secure the next two, overcoming a 5-2 deficit in the final set and saving two match points in the process before forcing a tiebreak that she won decisively. Pagula’s victory marks the end of Sabalenka’s remarkable 20-match winning streak at this tournament. Sabalenka, having previously won the Wuhan Open in the years 2018, 2019, and 2024, was aiming for a fourth title but fell short against Pegula’s tenacity.
Gauff’s year has been characterized by her serve inconsistency, leading the WTA in double faults with a staggering 378. Despite her serving issues, she has achieved commendable success, recording 13 career victories against top-10 players at WTA 1000 events before turning 22, the highest since 2009.
Paolini, currently ranked fifth, came into the semifinals with an impressive defeat of Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek in the quarters, and she had previously beaten Gauff in their three encounters earlier in the season. As the tournament progresses, the final between Gauff and Pegula promises to be a thrilling testament to American tennis prowess.
