(Washington) About a month ago, Coco Gauff was a bit distraught after a first-round loss at Wimbledon.
On Sunday, Gauff defeated Maria Sakkari 6-2, 6-3 in the Citi Open final, securing the fourth title of her career.
Gauff, a 19-year-old from Florida, was helped in Washington by two additions to her team: full-time coach Pere Riba (with her at least until the New York Grand Slam leg, starting on August 28), and temporary adviser Brad Gilbert.
“This is our first tournament as a team. Thank you for your perseverance,” Gauff said during the trophy presentation ceremony.
Gauff led 3-0 after 10 minutes, having scored three aces including one at 184 km/h.
In the second set, she raced to victory after breaking to bring the score to 3-3.
Gauff hasn’t lost a set in this tournament, which sets the stage for Flushing Meadows.
It was his second trophy of the season after the one won in January in Auckland, New Zealand.
Finalist at Roland-Garros in 2022, Gauff was the third seed in Washington.
“You deserve everything you’ve achieved,” Sakkari told Gauff.
“You have a lot of success ahead, even though you have already achieved so much. »
Sakkari, a 28-year-old Greek ranked ninth in the world, is now 1-7 in finals.
“I have to admit it’s very disappointing,” she mentioned.
Later Sunday, the men’s final will pit Dan Evans against Tallon Griekspoor, who beat favorite Taylor Fritz in the semis.
