Coco Gauff delivered a clutch performance to rally past Jessica Pegula 6-4, 7-5 in the final of the 2025 Wuhan Open, clinching the WTA 1000 title in an all-American showdown. Facing a stern challenge from a seasoned opponent and staring adversity in the second set, Gauff showed poise, aggression, and mental resilience to come through without dropping a set all week.
From the start she asserted herself. In the opening set Gauff got off to a fast 4-1 lead, using her powerful forehand and sharp angles to pressure Pegula’s service games. Pegula responded and leveled at 4-4, but Gauff held firm, squeezing out a tense service game at 5-4 and then breaking Pegula with a series of unforced errors from her opponent to close out the set.
However, the second set tested Gauff’s resolve. Pegula surged ahead to lead 3-0, and then 5-3, placing Gauff on the brink. At that point many would expect the momentum to shift decisively, but Gauff dug deep. She first held serve to stay in the set, then cracked Pegula’s serve to level at 5-5. Pegula even had opportunities to close the match, but her forehand volley at a key moment sailed wide, giving Gauff her first match point. On her second match point, Gauff sealed the victory with a forehand winner following a brief exchange. She reeled off four straight games from 3-5 down to seal the championship.
This triumph marks Gauff’s eleventh career WTA singles title and her third WTA 1000 victory, adding to her earlier wins in Cincinnati (2023) and Beijing (2024). Notably, she completed the Wuhan campaign without dropping a set, a rare feat at this level. In doing so she also becomes the first woman in a decade to win nine consecutive hard-court finals, a milestone previously fulfilled by Serena Williams.
In the lead-in to the final, Jessica Pegula had eliminated world number one Aryna Sabalenka in a tight three-set semifinal, ending Sabalenka’s 20-match unbeaten run in Wuhan. Pegula had endured a grueling path to the final, playing many three-setters across the tournament. Gauff was acutely aware of that: during the trophy ceremony she referred to Pegula as a “three-set queen” and joked she was determined not to let her get that far.
What added an emotional layer to this match was the relationship between the two finalists. Gauff and Pegula had been doubles partners and friends, and this was their first singles final meeting. During the trophy presentation, Gauff thanked Pegula for being one of the first tour players to welcome her warmly when she joined the circuit. The gesture underscored the respect and camaraderie between them despite the high stakes of the final.
Strategically, Gauff’s blend of aggression and court craft paid dividends. She varied pace, used slices to disrupt Pegula’s rhythm, and struck at moments when her opponent’s consistency wavered. Her ability to stay composed under pressure, especially when trailing late in the second, was the defining characteristic of her performance.
The victory gives Gauff strong momentum heading into the season’s final stretch. Both she and Pegula are expected to contend at the upcoming WTA Finals in Riyadh, and this win cements Gauff’s position as one of the leading competitors on hard courts.
In sum, Coco Gauff’s comeback under duress in the Wuhan final against a veteran rival highlights her maturity, resilience, and growing status among the elite. Her ability to close out from a precarious position without faltering is an encouraging sign for her continued ascent. Frankly, this all-American final will be remembered not just for the title, but for the character she showed in securing it.
