Coco Gauff is making headlines at the WTA Finals with a powerful start, overcoming world No. 6 Jessica Pegula, her close friend, in a straight-sets victory, 6-3, 6-2. The 20-year-old Gauff, who has been showcasing impressive form in recent weeks, capitalized on her momentum from a successful campaign in Asia. She claimed the WTA 1000 title in Beijing and reached the semifinals in Wuhan, proving herself a formidable force on the court this season. Now in Riyadh, Gauff has continued her stride with a statement win over Pegula, marking another milestone in her already stellar year.
Gauff’s performance in Riyadh comes after her triumph at the 2023 US Open, which boosted her confidence and highlighted her ability to compete under intense pressure. Despite facing challenges with her serve earlier in the season, Gauff has shown marked improvement in that area, recording only two double faults throughout her opening WTA Finals match. Her serve held steady, allowing her to remain dominant in rallies and ultimately control the pace of the match. This adjustment has been pivotal to her success, and it was on full display against Pegula.
The first set saw Gauff take control early. She broke Pegula’s serve in the fourth game, signaling her intent to push forward aggressively. However, the match was not without its setbacks. Pegula, a seasoned competitor with a powerful baseline game, broke back in the fifth game, briefly leveling the field. Gauff’s composure, however, remained unshaken. The world No. 3 responded by breaking Pegula again in the sixth game, putting herself in a 4-2 lead. This time, Gauff refused to relinquish her advantage, holding serve efficiently and closing out the set 6-3.
In the second set, Gauff faced similar resistance from Pegula. She managed to secure an early break, setting the tone for what seemed like a quick closure to the match. However, Pegula rallied, breaking back to even the set at 2-2. Despite Pegula’s resilience, Gauff demonstrated her growing maturity and ability to adapt, quickly regaining her footing. She responded with back-to-back breaks, winning the next four games to take the set 6-2, securing her win in just under two hours. With her solid baseline play and improved serving, Gauff limited Pegula’s chances to take control, ultimately allowing her only five games across both sets.
Reflecting on her matchup against Pegula, Gauff’s approach to competing against a close friend and frequent practice partner stood out. Given their camaraderie and recent training sessions together in Florida, questions were raised about whether this familiarity would impact the dynamic of their competition. Gauff dismissed these concerns during her pre-tournament press conference, stating, “It’s never been difficult for me. I think it’s just something that I guess is embedded in our sport honestly. I practiced with Jess last week in Florida. Obviously, I’m going to play her here. We’re used to it.”
This level-headed response highlights Gauff’s professionalism and comfort with the competitive nature of tennis, even when facing friends. She went on to add, “The top eight, maybe you don’t want to practice with someone the week of that’s in your group. You kind of have only like four players to choose from. Yeah, in general I think at other tournaments, usually when you’re seeded, you try to practice with another seed because you know you’re not going to play them first round. In general, I feel like it doesn’t feel that different from other tournaments.” Her pragmatic approach underscores her focus and maturity, despite her young age, and offers insight into how she separates friendships from competition.
Looking ahead, Gauff will next face world No. 2 Iga Swiatek, who defeated Barbora Krejcikova earlier in the tournament. The matchup promises to be a thrilling test for both players, as Swiatek has been one of the most consistent players on tour, particularly on hard courts. Gauff and Swiatek have had several encounters in the past, with Swiatek often having the upper hand. However, Gauff’s recent form, bolstered by her improved serve and increased tactical versatility, could make this match particularly intriguing. Swiatek’s game revolves around consistency and precision, while Gauff’s mix of athleticism and power poses a unique challenge.
Gauff’s performance at the WTA Finals not only affirms her position as one of the tour’s elite players but also solidifies her growing reputation as a potential future world No. 1. Her journey this season has demonstrated resilience, from overcoming challenges with her serve to handling the pressures of winning her first Grand Slam title. As the youngest player in the top ten, Gauff’s poise and performance at the WTA Finals showcase her development and adaptability on the global stage.
As the tournament progresses, Gauff’s confidence and recent improvements will be tested further, especially with Swiatek as her next challenge. This showdown between two of the sport’s brightest young stars could be pivotal in shaping the outcome of the tournament and will likely be watched closely by fans and analysts alike. For Gauff, it represents an opportunity to prove that her US Open win and her recent triumphs are part of a larger pattern of success, positioning her as one of the brightest talents in women’s tennis today.