Coco Gauff capped a breathtaking season by claiming her first WTA Finals title, winning a high-stakes battle against China’s Qinwen Zheng in what may be remembered as one of the year’s best matches. The 20-year-old American sealed the title after a grueling three-hour duel, marking a significant milestone after parting ways with former coach Brad Gilbert and flourishing under new coach Matt Daly.
Gauff, who entered the Finals as one of the season’s favorites, wasted no time asserting her form. Fresh off winning her second WTA 1000 title at the China Open, her first event with Daly, she quickly re-established herself as a fierce competitor with a semifinals run at the Wuhan Open. The WTA Finals opened with Gauff holding the No. 3 ranking and a victory over her American doubles partner Jessica Pegula. She also conquered long-time rival Iga Swiatek for just the second time in 13 encounters, marking a personal breakthrough. After taking down world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinal, she advanced to the final against Zheng with confidence.
In the title match, Gauff faced early setbacks, losing the first set 3-6 despite generating numerous break opportunities. Zheng, who had triumphed over her rivals throughout the tournament, played with unyielding resilience, saving multiple break points and seizing the opening set. Yet, Gauff’s mental toughness showed why she is a rising star in the sport. Falling behind a break in the second set, Gauff rallied, pulling off a comeback to claim the set 6-4 and push the match to a deciding set.
In the third set, Zheng was on the cusp of victory, leading 5-4 and serving for the title. But Gauff’s tenacity and fierce willpower allowed her to claw her way back, breaking Zheng’s serve to keep her title hopes alive. The match reached a fever pitch as they headed into a tiebreak, where Gauff’s precision and speed carried her to a 6-0 lead. Finally, on her fifth championship point, Gauff clinched the title, collapsing onto the court in a moment of pure relief and fatigue.
Reflecting on the intense match, Gauff explained her post-victory fall to the ground, a gesture she had originally reserved only for Grand Slam wins. “At the end of the match, when I fell on the floor, I didn’t think I was going to do that,” Gauff said. “I made a promise to myself that I would only save that for Grand Slams. But honestly, with the way the match went, I was like, ‘I’m just tired. I just want to lay on the ground.’”
Fans around the globe and the audience in attendance witnessed an unforgettable showdown, with Gauff’s resilience and Zheng’s exceptional performance combining for a display of tennis at its finest.
