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A Clash of Compatriots: Jessica Pegula vs. Coco Gauff in the Wuhan Open Final on the Best Sports Channel

The 2025 WTA Wuhan Open culminates in a thrilling all-U.S. final, pitting veteran Jessica Pegula against rising star and French Open champion, Coco Gauff. This isn't just a battle for a prestigious WTA 1000 title; it's the latest chapter in a burgeoning domestic rivalry between two players who know each other's games intimately—both as opponents and as former doubles partners.

The Road to the Final: Contrasting Paths to Glory

Both Americans earned their spot in Sunday's championship match, but they took decidedly different routes.

On one side is the 21-year-old Coco Gauff, who powered past Jasmine Paolini in straight sets (6-4, 6-3). Gauff has been in phenomenal form, reaching her fourth final of the season and making history as the youngest finalist ever at the Wuhan Open. Her tournament run has been characterized by powerful groundstrokes and a resilient return game, which proved crucial against Paolini, a player who had beaten her in their three previous meetings this season. Gauff is aiming to capture her second title of the year, following her monumental victory at Roland Garros.

Meanwhile, the 31-year-old Jessica Pegula showcased incredible grit and tenacity in her semi-final, staging a remarkable comeback to knock out the tournament's three-time champion and World No. 1, Aryna Sabalenka. Pegula was down 2-5 in the final set before rallying to win in a dramatic third-set tiebreak (2-6, 6-4, 7-6(2)). This victory was the culmination of a grueling run—Pegula won her eighth consecutive three-set match during the Asian swing, showing off a toughness that is hard to match. Pegula is contesting her sixth final of the season, having already clinched three trophies this year, and is hunting for her fourth career WTA 1000 title.

The Head-to-Head: Pegula Holds the Edge

When it comes to their singles history, Pegula holds a 4-2 advantage over Gauff in their six previous career meetings on the WTA tour.

Their rivalry has been heavily weighted toward hard courts, where four of their six contests have taken place. In those hard court matches, Pegula leads 3-1. This statistic is particularly relevant as the Wuhan Open is a hard court event.

However, the tide might be shifting slightly in Gauff's favor. The last time the two faced off was at last year's WTA Finals in Riyadh, where Gauff broke a three-match losing streak to Pegula by claiming a decisive 6-3, 6-2 victory. Furthermore, while Gauff has one title this season (the French Open), Pegula has three, making them two of the most consistent players on the tour in 2025. This Wuhan final will mark the first time they have competed against each other for a trophy, adding a new level of drama to their rivalry.

The Former 'Team Coco/Jess' Dynamic

Adding a layer of intrigue to this singles final is the fact that Gauff and Pegula spent significant time as a highly successful women's doubles team. They were a force on the doubles circuit for a couple of years, achieving the World No. 1 ranking, reaching the French Open final, and winning multiple major titles, including the Miami Open.

They officially closed the chapter on their regular doubles partnership after representing Team USA at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. The decision, as explained by Pegula, was pragmatic: their success in singles meant their schedules became incredibly demanding. Playing both singles and doubles at major tournaments and WTA 1000 events proved too much, leading them to prioritize singles careers to ensure longevity and prevent physical burnout. They remain close friends, but on the court in Wuhan, that friendship will be put aside as they compete for one of the most prestigious titles in the fall schedule.

Where and When to Watch the Showdown

This monumental match for the WTA Wuhan Open title is scheduled for Sunday 12 October, not before 6:30pm local time in Wuhan (GMT+8).

Tennis fans worldwide will be tuning in, and you can catch all the action live. For viewers in the USA, the match will be broadcast on the Tennis Channel, which is a top-tier Sports Channel for tennis coverage. Fans in the UK can watch the final on Sky Sports, while Australian viewers should tune in to beIN Sports. Regardless of where you are, prepare for a captivating clash of American tennis talent!