Coco Gauff of Atlanta, Georgia has won the 2024 China Open. In the final on Sunday which was played in the same complex that hosted the 2024 Olympic Games in Beijing, Gauff defeated Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic, 6-1, 6-3.
In Sunday’s final, Gauff was the better server. She had six aces compared to two for Muchova. Gauff also did a much better job in returning the serve. She broke Muchova five times in nine opportunities. Muchova only broke Gauff once.
Gauff, the tournament’s fourth seed, and Muchova, both reached a grand slam final in 2023. Gauff beat Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the final of the United States Open. Muchova lost to Iga Swiatek of Poland 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 in the final of the French Open.
In Beijing over the past week, Gauff beat two seeded players. She beat Katie Boulter of Great Britain 7-5, 6-2 in the second round, and the 15th seed, Paula Badodsa of Spain, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 in the semifinals. Gauff also beat four-time grand slam champion Naomi Osaka of Japan in a walkover in the fourth round. With the match tied at one set apiece (Osaka won the first set 6-3 and Gauff won the second set 6-4), Osaka withdrew with a nagging back ailment.
This was Gauff’s second career win at the WTA 1000 series level. Both times Gauff has beaten Muchova in the final. Gauff also beat Muchova 6-3, 6-4 in the final of the 2023 Cincinnati Open. It is also interesting that this was Gauff’s first win since she parted ways with coach Brad Gilbert after the 2024 United States Open. Gauff’s new coach is American Matt Daly, who previously coached Canadian Denis Shapovalov.
For FREE!
