Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Coco Gauff, the defending champion, demonstrated resilience at the 2025 WTA Finals, securing a decisive victory over Jasmine Paolini in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2. This win keeps Gauff's hopes alive in the tournament after an initial setback.
Both Gauff and Paolini entered the match with added pressure, having lost their opening matches in the Stefanie Graf Group. Gauff had previously suffered a three-set defeat to Jessica Pegula, while Paolini was overcome by Aryna Sabalenka. Tuesday's match was crucial for both players to maintain any chance of advancing to the semi-finals.
Gauff, currently ranked No. 3 in the world, displayed a much-improved performance compared to her previous match. Although she didn't record any aces, she minimized double faults to just three. Gauff capitalized on 67% of her first serves and an impressive 75% of her second serves. She broke Paolini on 4 out of 7 opportunities, while only being broken once in 5 attempts.
The first set saw Gauff take an early lead, winning the set 6-3. She secured a crucial break, demonstrating her intent to dominate the match. Paolini, seemingly struggling, mistimed shots, allowing Gauff to seize control. Gauff won the first set in a convincing manner after Paolini faded away. Gauff won 82% of her second serves, showing her hard work in Riyadh at improving her weaknesses.
In the second set, Gauff continued her momentum, eventually winning 6-2. Despite an early backhand error, Gauff quickly regained composure, capitalizing on Paolini's errors and securing the win.
In a post-match interview, Gauff expressed her satisfaction with her performance, noting it was a significant improvement from her previous match. She emphasized the importance of staying relaxed and acknowledged the significance of the win to remain in contention in the tournament. Gauff also expressed concern for Paolini, suggesting her opponent may not have been at 100% and wished her well.
The head-to-head record between Gauff and Paolini was tied at 3-3 prior to this match. Their most recent encounter was at the Wuhan Open semi-finals, where Gauff emerged victorious before claiming the title. However, Paolini had won their three matches before Wuhan, including a victory in Cincinnati.
Gauff's next challenge will be against Aryna Sabalenka on Thursday, November 6. Gauff holds a 6-5 advantage in their head-to-head record, including a win in their most recent match at the 2025 French Open final.
With this victory, Coco Gauff has demonstrated her determination to defend her title at the WTA Finals. Her ability to bounce back from an initial defeat showcases her mental fortitude and sets the stage for a compelling continuation of the tournament.
