Monday 7 August 2023

Gauff wins Washington DC title

Final day in Washington DC.

2023 Mubadala Citi DC Open, a WTA 500 tournament, on Hard Outdoor, Washington D.C., USA, 31July - 6 August 2023.

Defending champion:
Liudmila Samsonova who defeated Kaia Kanepi (6) 4-6 6-3 6-3

Final:

Maria Sakkari (4) (Greece) v CoCo Gauff (3) (USA)

Sakkari won four of the five previous matches between the players, including the most recent - round of 16 in Rome, 2022.

Gauff broke serve in the second game of the final.
Sakkari saved two break points in the fourth game before holding serve to trail 1-3.

The following game saw Sakkari break back.
However, Gauff broke again in the sixth game to lead 4-2.
Gauff was taken to deuce twice but her forehand held sway and she consolidated for 5-2.

Serving to stay in the set, Sakkari was broken due to a series of unforced errors, and Gauff led 6-2.

Sakkari responded well, breaking Gauff in the opening game of set two, then holding serve easily with three clean winners.
Gauff broke back in the fourth game, only for Sakkari to immediately reply with another service break and lead 3-2.

A streak of unforced errors from Sakkari assisted Gauff to break serve and then hold to take a 4-3 advantage.
Having only held serve twice in the match, it wasn’t surprising to see Sakkari broken again, two double faults included.
Gauff would serve for the match.

Sakkari saved one match point with a return winner, but Gauff converted the next match point with a backhand winner to end it all.

CoCo Gauff won the match 6-2 6-3, claiming the fourth and biggest title of her career.
It was the second title this year following the Auckland Classic in January.

No comments:

Post a Comment