On October 6, the final suspense of the 2024 China Internet drama was revealed. US Open tennis player Gauff defeated Czech star Mukhova 6-1, 6-3 to win the women's singles title at the China Open for the first time in her career. During this year's China Open, the organizing committee arranged for Gauff and Alcaraz to visit the Palace Museum in Chinese costumes. Many fans said after the game that the China Open has a vision, and they are optimistic that these two will both win the China Open championship so early.
In the women's singles final, Lang Ping, the meritorious coach of the Chinese women's volleyball team, was invited to serve as a guest of honor. The final, which consisted of former US Open champion Gauff against former French Open runner-up Mukhova, once again filled the crowd on the China Open Diamond Court. In the first set, Gauff changed the slow heat of the previous rounds and quickly improved his service feel. In this set, Gauff won 6-1 in just 29 minutes. The U.S. Open champion had a 73 per cent first-serve success rate and four aces. Gauff had previously made 10 double faults in a set, but in this final, Gauff only double-faulted once in the first set and forced four break points to break twice.
In the second set, Mukhova rushed more from the baseline to the net, squeezing Gauff's reaction time. Mukhova's change caught Gauff off guard, and she was broken for the first time in the match. Gauff responded quickly and successfully broke back with a return to serve in the opponent's service game. After that, Mukhova was more under pressure to hold serve and was unable to gain an advantage on her opponent's serve. Compared to Mukhova's versatile ball path, Gauff's speed and power were superior, and she managed to disrupt the rhythm of her opponent's shots. Mukhova had two break points on her unbreakable serve and returned the ball out of bounds to send Gauff to a 6-3 second set. After winning the final point, Gauff waved his arms and ran to his team, hugging his coach and family in celebration. Although Gauff's service double faults reached 4 in this set, it was still far below the previous level. In addition, her first-serve success rate is higher than that of Mukhova, which helped her build a winning foundation.
During this year's China Open, Gauff played six rounds and dragged the match to the third set three times. From the US Open to the China Open, Gauff lost to Navarro in three sets at the US Open, and all the other six three-set winners had the last laugh. In this final, Mukhova was originally preparing for a protracted match against Gauff, but Gauff suddenly improved her serve and changed the direction of the whole match. It can be said that Mukhova fell into Gauff's rhythm from the start.
Interestingly, during this year's China Open, the organizing committee arranged for Gauff and Alcaraz to visit the Palace Museum together. The two put on ancient costumes and took a group photo in front of the Forbidden City. According to reports, this year, Gauff and Alcaraz brought their family and friends to visit the ancient capital of Beijing with them and enjoy the Golden Week period of the China Open. Gauff said after Alcaraz's victory that he hoped he could be a bit of a match for him. "After I went to the Forbidden City with Alcaraz, he won the final. As a result, I was asked if it would bring me good luck. Now it seems that there is. Gauff also said before that she was very envious of Alcaraz's championship photo taken for him by China Open after winning the championship. I looked at the photos taken at the China Open and saw Alcaraz holding the trophy and sitting on the Chinese chair. I want to be like him, too. I'm looking forward to winning my first WTA1000 championship in China. Gauff said.
Now, with Gauff beating Mukhova for the third time in his career, he is lifting the trophy again this season after defending his title in Auckland at the beginning of the year. This is Gauff's eighth career singles title on tour, and she also became the second United States to win the China Open women's singles title after Serena Williams in 2013.
Text/Beijing Youth Daily reporter Chu Peng
Photo / Beijing Youth Daily reporter Cui Jun