Coco Gauff has once again etched her name into tennis history. The 21-year-old American sensation claimed her first-ever Wuhan Open title on Sunday, defeating compatriot Jessica Pegula 6-4, 7-5 in an intense final that showcased her resilience, composure, and championship mentality.
But beyond the silverware, Gauff’s victory marked a historic milestone — she became the first player in tennis history to go 9-0 in hard court finals, a feat that solidifies her status as one of the sport’s most consistent and dominant performers on the surface.
A historic unbeaten streak in hard court finals
Hard courts have always been Coco Gauff’s territory, but her perfect record in finals on the surface elevates her legacy to new heights. Since bursting onto the professional circuit, the world No. 3 has displayed poise under pressure that belies her age — and her ninth straight hard court final win is proof of that composure.
No other player in the Open Era — male or female — has managed to maintain an unblemished record in as many hard court finals. Her success across different tournaments and continents reflects not only her adaptability but also her mental strength in the most crucial moments.
This latest victory came after a grueling match in Wuhan, where Gauff fought back from a 0-3 double-break deficit and again rallied from 3-5 down in the second set to seal the win. Her ability to stay composed in critical moments defined her triumph, much like her past performances in Cincinnati, Washington, and the US Open.
Coco Gauff’s Wuhan triumph adds to a stellar 2025 season
The Wuhan Open title marks Coco Gauff’s second trophy of 2025, following her Roland-Garros win, and her third career WTA 1000 crown. The victory earned her $596,000 in prize money and a 1,000-point boost in the WTA rankings, bringing her within striking distance of World No. 2 Iga Swiatek.
Meanwhile, runner-up Jessica Pegula took home $351,003 and 650 ranking points, climbing to World No. 5. Semifinalists Aryna Sabalenka and Jasmine Paolini earned 390 points each, while quarterfinalists such as Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, and Katerina Siniakova collected 215 points apiece.
A new era of dominance begins
Coco Gauff’s triumph at Wuhan further underscores her evolution from a prodigious teenager into a complete, mentally fortified champion. Having now won nine of her last ten hard court matches, she stands as one of the most formidable competitors on the WTA Tour heading into the year’s closing tournaments.