Gauff defeats US compatriot Pegula in straight sets to win Wuhan Open

Coco Gauff swept past Jessica Pegula 6-4, 7-5 on Sunday, clinching the third WTA 1000 title of her career in an all-American final at the Wuhan Open.

The third-seeded Gauff clinched the trophy without dropping a set, after a battle lasting 1 hour and 42 minutes in the central Chinese city.

In the first final between the former doubles partners, Gauff erased multiple deficits in the second set to improve her head-to-head record against Pegula to 3-4. The 21-year-old, in the process, became the first player in the Open Era to win her first nine hard-court finals.

The pair took contrasting routes to the championship contest, with Gauff dropping a mere 16 games as she appeared to be on cruise control, while the 31-year-old Pegula had to battle through three sets in each of her previous eight matches.

Gauff grabbed the first six points of the final, setting the tone for what was to come, as she jumped out to a 3-0 lead. Pegula recovered from her slow start and went on the attack in the seventh game, breaking with a fierce backhand winner that helped her get back on level terms at 4-4.

It looked like the sixth seed had swung the momentum her way, but Gauff found a tiny opening two games later, breaking to secure the opening set in 47 minutes. Pegula, who had fought back from a 5-2 deficit in her deciding set against World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka the day before, was more than ready to attempt another fightback.

Gauff has been reworking her serve with biomechanics specialist Gavin MacMillan since the end of August. And while her numbers have improved since adding him to her team, the shot remains susceptible to ebbs and flows during stressful situations.

The World No. 3 double-faulted six times, allowing her compatriot to break her twice for a 3-0 lead, but later steadied the ship by pulling back both breaks to get even. Another exchange of breaks followed, with the fifth-ranked Pegula inching ahead on a cunning drop shot, before Gauff pegged her back by claiming 10 consecutive points.

Shortly afterward, Gauff raised her arms in celebration, as a volley from Pegula sailed wide on match point.