Coco Gauff has added another major milestone to her impressive career by winning her second WTA 1000 title at the 2024 China Open. Gauff, ranked No. 6 in the world, showcased her dominance with a resounding 6-1, 6-3 victory over Karolina Muchova in the final. This triumph marks her first singles title since January and highlights her remarkable growth as a player.
In a commanding performance, Gauff stormed through the final, securing her first title since her win in Auckland at the start of the year. Despite dropping the opening set in each of her previous five matches at the China Open, Gauff came out swinging in the final, giving Muchova little room to find her rhythm. The American’s relentless pace and precision were on full display, as she overwhelmed her Czech opponent in straight sets.
“She’s an amazing player and she’s so tough to play,” Gauff said of Muchova, showing respect for her opponent's abilities despite maintaining a perfect 3-0 record against her. This victory followed another significant win over Muchova at the 2023 Cincinnati Open, where Gauff claimed her first WTA 1000 title.
At just 20 years old, Gauff has already built a stellar finals record, improving to 8-1 in title matches. She made history by becoming the first player in the Open Era to win her first seven hardcourt finals, further solidifying her reputation as a force on fast surfaces. The win also earned her a hefty prize of $1.1 million, a symbol of her rising status in women’s tennis.
Notably, this victory came under new leadership. Gauff recently parted ways with her coach Brad Gilbert after a fruitful 14-month partnership, which saw her achieve significant career milestones. Now, she is working with coach Matt Daly, and the immediate success at the China Open suggests this new partnership is off to a promising start. “Thank you, Matt, this is our first tournament together, and obviously it’s going well,” Gauff said during her victory speech.
Gauff’s win comes at a pivotal time as she continues to rise in the WTA rankings. She has now moved up to No. 4 in the PIF Race to the WTA Finals, trailing only Iga Świątek, Aryna Sabalenka, and Elena Rybakina. Her victory in Beijing serves as a confidence boost after a somewhat challenging summer, which saw her exit the Paris Olympics in the third round and the U.S. Open in the fourth round.
Karolina Muchova, who reached the U.S. Open semifinals earlier this year, put up a valiant effort in Beijing but couldn’t match Gauff’s intensity. The Czech, ranked No. 49, was undone by Gauff’s powerful serves and relentless groundstrokes. Gauff fired six aces and won 72% of her first-serve points, while hitting 24 winners to just eight unforced errors. Though Muchova had her moments, she struggled to capitalize on break points and eventually succumbed to Gauff’s aggressive play.
Reflecting on her defeat, Muchova praised Gauff’s tenacity. “You kicked my butt today, literally, again,” Muchova joked on court. “You must love to play against me, I don’t know. It was really tough. It just shows how great a player you are, and congratulations.”
As Gauff looks ahead to the WTA Finals, she will carry the momentum from this win, solidifying her place among the world’s elite and proving once again that her love for the game fuels her relentless pursuit of greatness.