Coco Gauff explained how putting herself in difficult situations on court helped her become a champion on the WTA Tour again.
The 20-year-old captured her first title since January after beating Karolina Muchova to win the China Open.
The American did not always produce her best tennis throughout the tournament, but she certainly saved her best for the final as she dispatched the Czech player for the loss of just four games.
Gauff became the youngest woman to win the China Open for 14 years and she has plenty of momentum heading into this week’s Wuhan Open.
What did Coco Gauff do that helped her win the China Open?
Coco Gauff entered the China Open amid plenty of uncertainty following her poor form and the first tournament working with new coach Matt Daly.
The former US Open champion had a steady start with wins over Clara Burel and Katie Boulter, before coming from behind in her next three matches against Naomi Osaka, Yulia Starodubtsewa and Paula Badosa.
Many were expecting another test for Gauff in the final, after Muchova defeated tournament favourite Aryna Sabalenka in the quarter-finals.
But Gauff’s athleticism and consistency proved too much for the new World number 31, who has lost all three of meetings with the former US Open champion.
After securing her biggest title of the season so far, Gauff explained how forcing herself to do things on court that perhaps do not come naturally to her, contributed to her success.
“Everybody can do everything in practice,” Gauff told the WTA website. “This time, when the pressure is on the line, I was just trying to force myself to do things I was uncomfortable with. So yeah, I think the result is now reassurance that I am in the right direction.”
Where is Coco Gauff playing her next match?
Following her success at the China Open, there is no rest for Gauff as she is set to play at the Wuhan Open.
She will aim to win the title for the first time in what will be Gauff’s first appearance in the tournament.
Gauff has a bye in round one and therefore, she will not commence her campaign until the second round.
There she will take on either her compatriot Ashlyn Krueger or Viktoriya Tomova, both of which would be first time matchups for Gauff.
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