“Sometimes you just wake up and you’re like, ‘Today is my day,'” the American said after a surprise WTA 1000 title run.

 

 

Coco Gauff entered the China Open as the No. 4 seed, having reached the semifinals of the same tournament the previous year. As a Grand Slam champion with one of tennis’s most recognizable faces, expectations were high. However, with seven of the WTA’s Top 10 competing in Beijing, Gauff wasn’t initially considered a frontrunner for the title.

 

Reflecting on her journey, Gauff admitted, “I’m happy to be in the final; I wasn’t expecting it.” She approached the tournament with a mindset focused on gaining experience, viewing it as a “practice week” to begin her “preseason” work with her new coach, Matt Daly.

 

Her unexpected success culminated in a dominant performance in the final against Karolina Muchová, showcasing her growth and determination on the court.

 

A lot to be thankful for 🫶✨ @CocoGauff lifts the trophy in Beijing! 🏆 #ChinaOpen pic.twitter.com/DMmfgbcuA1

— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) October 6, 2024

 

 

Coco Gauff faced a challenging 2024 as she struggled to find her form, having not won a title since January. Her confidence took a hit after being eliminated by lower-ranked American Emma Navarro in two consecutive major tournaments. With issues in her serve and forehand, and after parting ways with Brad Gilbert—the coach who guided her to the US Open title—Gauff seemed to be starting over.

 

However, in a stunning turnaround, she emerged victorious at the China Open, lifting the trophy and claiming a $585,000 winner’s check. Gauff defeated an in-form Karolina Muchová in a convincing 6-1, 6-3 match, showcasing her return to peak performance just a month after a disappointing 19 double faults against Navarro at the US Open.

 

Reflecting on her win, Gauff remarked, “Today I just felt on, even from the first game. I had that feeling that I felt last year, too. Sometimes you just wake up and you’re like, ‘Today is my day.’”

 

While it may seem simple, several factors contributed to Gauff’s rapid rebound during her time in Beijing, indicating that her journey back to form was the result of evolving strategies and renewed confidence throughout the tournament.

 

 

First, there was her ability to make comebacks and win without her best in the early rounds. Gradually, her confidence in her competitive s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s developed into a renewed confidence in her game.

 

Gauff started by winning a two tough 7-5 first sets against Clara Burel and Katie Boulter. She lost the first set to Naomi Osaka, then won the second, before Osaka retired. She lost the first set to Yulia Starodubtseva before winning the last two. She was down a set, a break, and nearly a second break to Paula Badosa in the semifinals, before winning 10 of the last 12 games. By the time she reached the third set against Badosa. Gauff wasn’t just scrapping to stay alive anymore. She was dictating. The doubt had gone out of her strokes.

 

 

Highlight from a CHAMPION! 🤯 🎞 @CocoGauff hits an insane passing shot for today’s @BetMGM Shot of the Day! #ChinaOpen pic.twitter.com/RH2oXDithN

— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) October 6, 2024

 

“I always grew up on the philosophy that the second set is the most important set,” Gauff said after beating Badosa. “You either win the match on that set or you stay in the match with that set.”

 

The second positive factor was the new presence in her coaching box. Daly, a former college player and coach of Denis Shapovalov, joined Jean-Christophe Faurel to form her new team in Beijing. During her matches, Daly was consistently calm and positive, even when she was unhappy and on the brink of defeat against Badosa. His response was always a clap and a nod and a word of encouragement.

“Today I just felt on, even from the first game … Sometimes you just wake up and you’re like, ‘Today is my day.’”

 

 

Coco Gauff showcased a more composed and strategic approach during her match against Karolina Muchová at the China Open, a stark contrast to her earlier struggles in 2024. Throughout her time with former coach Brad Gilbert, Gauff focused on developing a more aggressive baseline game, which often led to risky forehand shots and uncharacteristic errors. However, against Muchová, Gauff found success by hitting high, safe forehands to the Czech’s backhand and using her speed to induce errors.

 

Starting in her defensive comfort zone, Gauff gradually became more aggressive without forcing the issue, allowing her game to flow more organically. This effective strategy resulted in a familiar outcome for Muchová, who fell to 0-3 against Gauff, unable to find her rhythm against the relentless American.

 

“I lost to her three times in a row,” Muchová reflected. “I’ll say, very similar losses. It was always in the latest rounds of the tournaments, and it’s very physical with her. I felt like the second one always in the rallies.”

 

For Gauff, the fresh perspective brought by new coach Matt Daly, along with the reduced pressure, seems pivotal to her success. Having won her first tournament with Gilbert last year, she now celebrates her first title with Daly. If this trend continues, fans can look forward to even bigger victories ahead for the talented 20-year-old.