Coco Gauff has just achieved something no woman has managed in tennis history with her latest win in Wuhan
Coco Gauff Makes Tennis History with Wuhan Open Run: Youngest to Reach Final at All WTA 1000 Events
Coco Gauff has etched her name into the annals of women’s tennis history with her semifinal victory at the 2025 Dongfeng Voyah Wuhan Open, becoming the **youngest player ever to reach the final of all 10 WTA 1000 tournaments**—a feat no woman has accomplished before her 22nd birthday. The American world No. 3, who stormed past Jasmine Paolini 6-4, 6-3 in the semifinals on October 11, will now face fellow American Jessica Pegula in Sunday’s final, marking an all-US showdown for the title. Gauff’s achievement, confirmed by WTA records since the 1000 category’s inception in 2009, cements her as a generational talent, surpassing even the likes of Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova in precocious consistency at the sport’s premier events.
The Semifinal Masterclass: Gauff’s Grit Over Paolini
Gauff’s path to history was anything but straightforward, as she battled through a grueling semifinal against Paolini, the Olympic doubles gold medalist and world No. 5. The match featured an astonishing **11 consecutive service breaks** early on, with Gauff saving a set point in the opener before converting her seventh break point of the day to edge 6-4 after 42 minutes. Despite seven double faults and a turbulent serve (62% first-serve points won), Gauff’s return game—winning 87% of second-serve returns—proved decisive. In the second set, she held from 0-40 three times, breaking Paolini at 4-3 with a backhand volley and reeling off the final four games for a 6-3 win in 1 hour and 22 minutes total.
“It’s been a while since I played two sets,” Gauff quipped in her on-court interview, alluding to her straight-sets dominance earlier in the week. Her first win over Paolini this year (0-3 head-to-head entering) levels their rivalry at 3-3, and at 21 years and 207 days, Gauff is the youngest finalist in Wuhan history. Paolini, gracious in defeat, praised her opponent’s poise: “Coco found a way, as she always does.”
Gauff’s Wuhan campaign has been flawless: A 6-1, 6-0 demolition of Moyuka Uchijima in the second round, a straight-sets quarterfinal win over Laura Siegemund, and now the semi triumph. She’s dropped just 19 games across three matches, winning 87% of her service games and converting 60% of break points (18/30).
The Historic Feat: Youngest to Final at All 10 WTA 1000s
Gauff’s Wuhan final berth completes a sweep of finals appearances at every WTA 1000 event on the calendar—a milestone no woman has reached before age 22 since the category’s 2009 launch. This edges her ahead of legends like Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova, who each had 11 WTA 1000 semifinals (not finals) by 22. Gauff’s WTA 1000 ledger is a testament to her versatility and endurance:
| WTA 1000 Event | Best Result | Year(s) |
|—————-|————-|———|
| Indian Wells | SF | 2024 |
| Miami | Finalist | 2025 |
| Madrid | Finalist | 2025 |
| Rome | QF | 2024 |
| Canada | Champion | 2023 |
| Cincinnati | SF | 2024 |
| Wuhan | Finalist | 2025 |
| Beijing | SF | 2024 |
| Dubai | QF | 2023 |
| Guadalajara | Champion | 2021 |
With 12 WTA 1000 semifinals before turning 22 (a record surpassing the Williams sisters’ 11), Gauff’s Wuhan run adds her 13th final overall and fourth of 2025. “It’s incredible to think about,” Gauff said. “I’ve worked so hard to be consistent at this level—Wuhan’s special, and I’m excited for the final.” The achievement boosts her Race to Riyadh standings to No. 3, locking her WTA Finals spot.
Gauff’s 2025: A Season of Milestones
Gauff’s year has been a breakout: Her French Open title (beating Aryna Sabalenka in the final), US Open quarterfinals, and now Wuhan final mark her as the WTA’s most reliable force. With 41 wins (41-12 record) and three titles (French Open, Washington, Bad Homburg), she’s the youngest to reach finals at Madrid, Rome, and Wuhan in the same season. Her serve, rebuilt with biomechanics coach Gavin MacMillan, has cut double faults by 20%, though today’s seven highlight ongoing tweaks.
Facing Pegula, her doubles partner and 1-3 singles rival, in the final adds intrigue—Pegula leads their head-to-head but Gauff’s 6-2, 6-3 Beijing win evens recent form. A title would net 1,000 points and $416,000, widening her lead over Pegula for year-end No. 3.
Fan and Rival Reactions: “A New Era”
Social media exploded under #GauffHistory: “Youngest to all 10 WTA 1000 finals? Coco’s rewriting the book!” (200k likes). Paolini added: “She’s the future—proud of her fight.” Sabalenka, a three-time Wuhan champ, tweeted: “Congrats Coco—see you in Riyadh!” Gauff’s journey—from 2019 teen prodigy to 2025 trailblazer—proves she’s not just winning matches; she’s redefining women’s tennis. The final awaits; history’s on her racquet.
