Coco Gauff secured her second title of the season on Sunday (October 12) as she beat Jessica Pegula in the final of the Wuhan Open.
Gauff's 6-4 7-5 victory over her fellow American meant she went the entire WTA 1000 event without dropping a single set.
This is the 22-year-old's third title at 1000 tournaments after previous wins in Cincinnati and Beijing.
Pegula arrived into Sunday's final with much confidence, as she defeated world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals, and had won four of the first six matches between her and Gauff.
It was Gauff who landed the first major blow in the contest though, as she broke Pegula at the very first opportunity.
Pegula was able to break back in the seventh game of the opening set and soon levelled the score at 4-4 on her serve, but her compatriot would then go on to hold serve before landing a break in the final game to take the first set.
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Both players exchanged multiple breaks in the second set, with Pegula appearing in the driving set when serving for the set at 5-4 up.
However, Gauff broke back once more before holding serve and landing a final break in the last game to secure a maiden win in the Hubei capital.
Gauff makes history in Wuhan
Getty
Gauff's latest triumph has set a new record in the women's game, as she is the first player in the Open Era to win her first nine hard court finals at WTA-level.
Also, the 22-year-old is the first female player to win nine successive hard court events since fellow American and tennis icon Serena Williams won 12 between 2012-2015.
Furthermore, Gauff is now only the second American to win the Wuhan Open since the event began in 2014, with Venus Williams being the other victor from the States back in 2015.
The reigning French Open winner offered kind words to Pegula during the trophy presentation and revealed she was glad to wrap up the contest in straight sets due to her opponent having only played three-setters leading up to the final.
"When I came on tour, you were one of the first people to be nice to me and welcome me with open arms. And that really goes a long way and still goes a long way," Gauff told her compatriot.
"I appreciate you. And it’s great to finally play in a final against you," she added.
"You’ve been playing a lot of three-setters. I’d like to congratulate you on an incredible tournament. I was determined not to let you get there today because I felt the odds would be in your favour in a third set."
Gauff will now focus her attention to defending her WTA Finals singles title in Riyadh next month.
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