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The third-ranked Gauff served to save the second set at 5-3
down. She held and then broke the sixth-ranked Pegula to love
for 5-5.
Pegula's forehand volley at the net landed wide to give Gauff a
first match point and, with Pegula on second serve, she clinched
it with a forehand winner following a brief rally.
“Winning every match (in the tournament) in straight sets, I
don't know if I've done that before on a title run,” Gauff said.
“I just felt like I was really proud of what I accomplished this
week, regardless of the result today.”
The 31-year-old Pegula rallied to beat top-ranked Aryna
Sabalenka in the semifinals. But this time she lost momentum and
missed out on a 10th career title as Gauff became the second
American to claim the Wuhan title after Venus Williams in 2015.
It was their seventh career meeting and first in a final. Pegula
leads 4-3 overall against Gauff, with whom she has won several
WTA doubles titles.
“When I came on tour, you were one of the first people to be
nice to me and welcome me with open arms. That really went a
long way, so I appreciate you," Gauff told Pegula at the trophy
ceremony. “It’s great to finally play in the final against you.
I hope for many more.”
Gauff improved to 11-3 in finals; Pegula dropped to 9-11.
“We’ve spent a lot of time together and, even though I’m a bit
older, I always admire and respect her so much,” Pegula said.
”She’s just so mature for her age."
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