Coco Gauff Dominates Paolini to Secure Spot in Third WTA 1000 Final of 2025
Coco Gauff displayed remarkable resilience as she advanced to the finals of the Dongfeng · Voyah Wuhan Open, defeating Jasmine Paolini with a score of 6-4, 6-3. This victory, achieved in 1 hour and 22 minutes, secured Gauff’s position in her third WTA 1000 final of the 2025 season. The event in Wuhan marked her first win over Paolini this year.
Gauff’s Path to Victory
Throughout the match, Gauff showed her ability to hold serve under pressure. Despite experiencing 11 consecutive breaks and encountering difficulties with her serve — including seven double faults — Gauff managed to navigate these challenges successfully.
Match Summary
- Location: Wuhan
- Match Duration: 1 hour and 22 minutes
- Set Scores: 6-4, 6-3
- Opponent: Jasmine Paolini
- Consecutive Breaks: 11
Initially, Gauff was 0-3 against Paolini in 2025, but she managed to level their head-to-head record at three wins each. The match began with five consecutive service holds, followed by a series of breaks. Gauff capitalized on these breaks to secure the first set.
Challenges and Triumphs
Gauff faced a rocky start in the second set, as Paolini twice gained a break lead. Yet, Gauff maintained composure and broke back each time, eventually swinging momentum in her favor to clinch the set and the match.
Both players struggled with holding serve, but Gauff ended the match by securing her serve at a critical moment. This victory marks Gauff’s fewest games dropped en route to a Wuhan final and sets a milestone for the tournament.
Milestones and Final Anticipation
- Youngest Finalist: At 21 years and 207 days
- Games Dropped: 16 – fewest in tournament history
- WTA 1000 Wins: 13 against Top 10 players before age 22 since 2009
- WTA Wins on Chinese Soil: 21, leading the field over the last three years
In the final on Sunday, Gauff is set to face Jessica Pegula, who overcame Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals. Their previous encounters have Pegula leading 4-2, though Gauff claimed victory in their latest match at the last season’s WTA Finals.
The upcoming final will feature a fresh rivalry, as it is the first time Gauff and Pegula, former doubles partners, meet in a final at this level. Nevertheless, the tournament will see a new champion, breaking Sabalenka’s winning streak since 2017.
