Gauff triumphs at Citi Open in Washington, DC with straight-set victory over Sakkari

Coco Gauff beat Maria Sakkari in straight sets to win the Citi Open on Sunday afternoon. It is the fourth WTA title of Gauff’s career.

Coco Gauff at the 2023 Indian Wells Masters Image Credit: AI/Reuters/Panoramic

Ricky Dimon

August 6, 2023

Mubadala Citi DC Open •Final • completed

See draw

M. SakkarivsC. Gauff

Coco Gauff captured the biggest title of her career on Sunday afternoon, defeating Maria Sakkari 6-2, 6-3 in the final of the Mubadala Citi Open in Washington, DC. Gauff struck seven aces and completely dominated in the return game, breaking Sakkari six times to triumph in one hour and 31 minutes.

The American is now 4-1 lifetime in WTA finals, including 2-0 in 2023. Her most recent victory had come at the beginning of this season on the hard courts of Auckland. Gauff’s Washington, DC success is her first of the 500-point variety.

It was a much-needed result for Gauff, who lost right away at Wimbledon and had not reached a final since that result in Auckland.

“After losing first round in Wimbledon it was a tough situation,” Gauff admitted. “It was really tough a couple of weeks ago. [My whole team] was all feeling it. I was glad I was able to bounce back.”

Gauff dominant during run to Washington, DC title

It was an all around remarkable run Gauff, who did not drop a set all week long and did not even get pushed to a single tiebreaker. Prior to Sunday’s result, the 19-year-old beat American qualifier Hailey Baptiste (6-1, 6-4), Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic (6-1, 6-2) and defending champion Liudmila Samsonova (6-3, 6-3).

It was still a productive week for Sakkari, who reached the final by defeating Canadian qualifier Leylah Fernandez (7-5, 6-2), American Madison Keys (6-3, 6-3) and top-seeded American Jessica Pegula (6-3, 4-6, 6-2). The world No 9 is now 1-7 lifetime in WTA finals.

“You deserve everything you have achieved,” the Greek told Gauff during the trophy ceremony. “You have a lot of time (ahead of you) and a lot of success to come even though you have already achieved great things…. It was an incredible week. It’s pretty disappointing, but a month ago I didn’t think I would be here (in the final). I have no words to describe how I enjoyed this week.”