Jessica Pegula, 31, expects 21-year-old Coco Gauff to be determined to win their Wuhan final after just missing out on claiming the Beijing title as the 2024 US Open runner-up acknowledges there won't be any secrets between the two on the court since they perfectly know each other's games.
After Pegula overcame defending champion Aryna Sabalenka and Gauff defeated Jasmine Paolini, everything is set for an all-American final at the WTA 1000 tournament in Wuhan.
In the past, Pegula and Gauff clashed six times, and while the 21-year-old American won their last meeting at the 2024 WTA Finals, the 31-year-old American still leads their head-to-head 4-2.
For Pegula, this will be her sixth final of the year - she has won three titles so far. On the other side, Gauff has been through to her fourth title match - the French Open title is her only one of the year. Prior to coming to Wuhan, the 21-year-old fell just short of winning Beijing after losing in the semifinal.
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Pegula: There are no secrets between us
It will be awesome playing Coco in the final. Shes going to want to win after losing in the final last year. We know each other so well; there are no secrets. We know what our game plans are and it is just going to be who can execute their game plans the best," the 31-year-old said of her facing her 10 years younger compatriot in the Wuhan final.
Heading into the match, it is safe to say that Pegula is more tired, considering that all of her last eight matches have gone three sets. Meanwhile, Gauff has yet to drop a set at this year's Wuhan edition.
A bit interestingly, the majority of their previous six clashes were one-sided since only one of those meetings went three sets.
