China Open: Gauff ease past Muchova to lift eighth career title

Coco Gauff won the eight title of her career after defeating US Open semifinalist Karolina Muchova 6-1, 6-3 in the final on Sunday.

The 20-year-old and World no.6 became the youngest China Open champion in 14 years following Serena Williams’ title runs in 2004 and 2013.

Coco Gauff joined Carlos Alcaraz as Champions in Beijing as both visited the Forbidden City together ahead of the competition’s opener.

“Carlos and I both went to the Forbidden City earlier this week. Someone in press asked me if it was gonna bring luck. I was like I don’t know I don’t want to jinx it. Then Carlos won. At that time it was only Round of 16 for me. But I guess the Imperial Palace brought us luck”, Gauff stated.

Beijing is Gauff’s second Hologic WTA Tour title of the season and eighth of her career. She began the 2024 season with a successful title defense at the ASB Classic in Auckland. She is the first woman in the Open Era to win her first seven WTA hard-court finals.

Gauff has now won two WTA 1000 titles after capturing her first last summer at the Cincinnati Open, where she also beat Muchova in the final. She is the second-youngest player to win her first two WTA 1000 finals after Bianca Andreescu, (2019 Indian Wells, Toronto).

Gauff’s title run in Beijing has shored up her quest to qualify for the WTA Finals Riyadh for the third consecutive year. The American entered the week at No.6 on the Race to the PIF WTA Finals. With the title, she will overtake US Open finalist Jessica Pegula to sit at No.5 heading into the final WTA 1000 of the season at the Dongfeng Voyah · Wuhan Open.

Both players now head to Wuhan, where main-draw play begins on Monday, Oct. 7. Gauff is seeded No.4 and will have a first-round bye.