Coco Gauff receives rankings and WTA Finals qualification boost after winning China Open

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Coco Gauff’s China Open win not only gave her a much needed confidence boost but it was also very important as far as the rankings are concerned.

For someone so young, the 20-year-old’s level of resilience and mental strength is arguably the most important quality she brings to a tennis court.

That trait was illustrated on more than one occasion in the Chinese capital, as Coco Gauff battled back from a set down in three successive matches.

She saved her best for last by completing a 6-1, 6-3 win in just one hour and 16 minutes to win her second WTA 1000 title.

What is Coco Gauff’s new rankings position?

Gauff maintained her unbeaten record in hard court finals after claiming the China Open title.

This marked the eighth title of her career and a first since successfully defending the Auckland trophy in January.

These are welcome points for Gauff, who moved back to fourth position in the WTA Tour rankings, leapfrogging Elena Rybakina and Jasmine Paolini.

This came after Gauff plummeted from third to sixth after suffering early exits at the Cincinnati Open and US Open, tournaments where she was the defending champion.

Gauff is also up to number four in the ‘Race to the WTA Finals’ standings. The top seven qualify automatically and Gauff has now moved above Paolini and compatriot Jessica Pegula and sits on 4,968 points.

A strong tournament in Wuhan should confirm her Gauff’s place at the season-ending championships for the third successive year.

Can Coco Gauff back up her China Open title run in Wuhan?

Gauff enters the Wuhan Open with a wave of momentum following her run to the China Open title.

This tournament is taking place for the first time since 2019 following a break due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Aryna Sabalenka enters the event as the two-time defending champion and will be the favourite to win for a third time.

But she will be pushed hard by Gauff, who will feel confident about her chances in Wuhan, after winning in Beijing despite not being at her best throughout the campaign.

She will commence her campaign against Viktoriya Tomova, who came from a set down to beat Ashlyn Krueger in the previous round.