Gauff Advances to Wuhan Open Final, Set to Clash with Sabalenka or Pegula

WUHAN: Coco Gauff, the reigning French Open champion, showcased her prowess on the court by defeating Jasmine Paolini of Italy in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, at the Center Court here on Saturday. This triumph secures her spot in the Wuhan Open final.

The American third seed asserted her dominance early in the match, with both players initially holding serve through the first five games before a series of consecutive breaks ensued.

Gauff seized the initiative in the second set, breaking Paolini’s serve to establish a 3-2 lead. She maintained her momentum, mirroring her performance from the first set.

Notably, the match featured an extended sequence of 11 consecutive games where holding serve proved unsuccessful.

Gauff further solidified her advantage by breaking Paolini once more, ultimately clinching the match on her own serve. This marked the first instance in the set where she successfully held serve, propelling her to a 4-3 lead.

On Sunday, she is slated to face either World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka or fellow American Jessica Pegula in the title match.

The Wuhan Open final marks Gauff’s fifth WTA 1000 final appearance of her career and her third in 2025.

Reflecting on her victory, Gauff voiced her satisfaction with her overall play, acknowledging the challenges posed by the match and Paolini’s serve.

“I’m genuinely pleased with my performance today. It was a demanding match, particularly when returning serve. However, I executed what was necessary to advance,” Gauff commented.

She also acknowledged the caliber of her potential opponents, Sabalenka and Pegula, both of whom have previously defeated her. Nevertheless, Gauff emphasized her commitment to concentrating on her own game and striving to influence the aspects within her control.

“Sabalenka and Pegula are formidable competitors… And I have experienced losses against both of them in the past. But ultimately, my focus remains on my side of the court, and I will endeavor to manage the elements that are within my capacity to manage.”