Coco Gauff secured a historic victory at the 2024 China Open, defeating Karolina Muchova 6-1, 6-3 in the final. The American star’s win marked a significant milestone, as she became the first player in Open-era history to win each of her first seven WTA hardcourt finals. In this article, we review the commanding performance that cemented her place among tennis' elite.
A Stellar Display in Beijing
Gauff’s triumph in Beijing reminded fans and critics of her incredible resilience and talent. After facing some criticism for a perceived dip in form following her US Open loss, the 20-year-old came back stronger than ever. She overpowered an unseeded but highly competitive Muchova, whose journey to the final included victories over top-tier players like Aryna Sabalenka and Zheng Qinwen.
During the match, Gauff's power and precision was on show as she fired 24 winners and committed only eight unforced errors. Her aggressive approach kept Muchova on the back foot throughout the encounter. Although Muchova managed to break early in the second set, Gauff immediately responded, breaking back and resounding her dominance.
"It feels incredible to win here in Beijing," Gauff said after the match. "It's my first tournament with my new coach, Matt Daly, and I think it's going really well."
Sitting With Legends
By winning the 2024 China Open, Gauff has added another accolade to her collection. Not only did she win her second WTA 1000 title, she has also become the youngest China Open champion since Caroline Wozniacki in 2010. Her victory in Beijing follows her earlier success in the Auckland Classic, as well as last year’s Cincinnati win, where she defeated Muchova.
The win further propelled Gauff back to world No. 4. This achievement is particularly remarkable considering the ups and downs of her season. After a fourth-round exit at the US Open, she faced some criticism regarding her game. However, her strong showing in Beijing has surely silenced those doubters, reinforcing her status as one of the sport’s brightest stars.
Reflecting on her career so far, Gauff said, "I’m still in the developmental phase, but I’m proud of how far I’ve come. I didn’t have a complete game at 15, and I still have things to work on, but I’m growing every week."
Rivalry with Muchova
This final marked the third meeting between Gauff and Karolina Muchova, with Gauff maintaining a perfect 3-0 head-to-head record. Muchova, who had been sidelined for a significant period due to a wrist injury, made an inspiring run to the final. However, Gauff proved too strong.
“Karolina is such an amazing player, and it’s great to see her back,” Gauff said in her victory speech. “I hope to see her in many more finals.”
Final Thoughts
The win obviously adds to Gauff’s growing legacy. But it also provides her with a significant boost heading into the final stretch of the season, with the WTA Finals fast approaching. With her eight tour-level titles and a near-perfect finals record, Coco Gauff is one of tennis' most exciting young talents to keep an eye on.