Rejuvenated Gauff storms to Beijing title

Coco Gauff produced one of her best performances of the year as she crushed Karolina Muchova 6-1, 6-3 on Sunday to win the WTA 1000 title in Beijing.

The American needed just one hour, 16 minutes to pick up her eighth career title and the second of this year, but first with new coach Matt Daly.

Muchova had beaten both Aryna Sabalenka and Qinqen Zheng to reach the final but could not repeat that form as she was well-beaten in a one-sided final.

Fast start from Gauff

Gauff had won both of their previous meetings and began with confidence, breaking for 2-0 and consolidating her lead with another hold of serve. Muchova, whose variety and skill was too much for Sabalenka and Zheng, looked all at sea, spraying errors on both wings.

By contrast, Gauff, in her first Tour final since she won in Auckland in January, was solid, her serve and forehand holding up well, allowing her to dictate the rallies from the baseline.

Muchova had chances to get one of the breaks back at 5-1, but could not take either and Gauff wrapped up the set after just 29 minutes.

Gauff recovers from slow start to second set

For a brief time at the start of the second set, it looked as if Muchova, who has won just one title and lost four other finals, might get back into the match. Three double faults from Gauff handed her a break as she led 2-0.

But the lead always looked fragile and so it proved as Gauff immediately broke back when Muchova sent a second serve way over the service line for a double fault.

From then on, Gauff grew in confidence and though Muchova raised her game a little, it was too little too late as the American clinched victory.

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