Coco Gauff wins the China Open and improves to 7-0 in the hard court final

Coco Gauff won her first singles title since January – and her second WTA 1000 championship in her career.

With her dominant 6-1, 6-3 win over Karolina Muchova on Sunday, the world No. 6 secured the China Open title, her first title since winning in Auckland in January. Gauff won the title despite losing the first set in her first five games.

“She’s a great player and she’s so hard to play,” Gauff said of Muchova.

Gauff also defeated Muchova in the final of the 2023 Cincinnati Open to win her first WTA 1000 title. She improved to 3-0 against the Czechs.

With this latest win, the 20-year-old American improved to 8-1 in finals and became the first player in the Open era to win her first seven hardcourt finals. For winning the title, she takes home $1,100,000.

It was Gauff's first title after parting ways with trainer Brad Gilbert following a successful 14-month partnership. Gauff is now working with new coach Matt Daly.

“Thanks Matt, this is our first tournament together and obviously it’s going well, so thanks for just helping me out this week,” Gauff said.

Carlos Alcaraz defeated world number 1 Jannik Sinner in the men's final in Beijing on Thursday.

Gauff and Alcaraz visited the Imperial City in Beijing before the start of the women's tournament and she said: “Yes, I think the Imperial Palace has brought us luck, and maybe I will pay a visit next year to have the same luck.”

Gauff moved up to No. 4 in the PIF race to the WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, behind Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina.

The win boosted the confidence of Gauff, who had a tough summer, losing in the third round of the Paris Olympics and the fourth round of the US Open.

Muchova, currently ranked 49th in the world, was on the verge of reaching the semi-finals of the US Open.

Gauff hit six aces against five double faults and won 72% of first serve points. She scored 24 winners against eight unforced errors and converted 5 of 9 break points.

In the first set, Gauff saved the one break point she faced and double-faulted only once

Gauff won the opening set 36:2, which was a good sign for her.

After Gauff fell behind 0-2 in the second set, he was able to fight back with a running forehand winner to make it 1-2.

With serve at 2-0, 0-40, Muchova double-faulted, giving Gauff a 3-2 lead.

With Muchova serving at 3-5, 15-40, Muchova sailed a long backhand to give Gauff the title.

“You literally kicked my ass again today,” Muchova said in court. “You must love playing against me, I don’t know. Yes, it was really hard.

“It just shows what a great player you are and congratulations.”