AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Prime-seeded American Coco Gauff has capped a commanding begin to the brand new season Sunday by beating Spanish qualifier Viktoria Masarova 6-1, 6-1 within the ultimate of the ASB Traditional.
Gauff claimed her third WTA Tour title however her first in years on onerous courts, boosting her confidence forward of the Australian Open.
The match was punctuated by one other of the lengthy rain breaks that has been typical of per week in Auckland by which matches both have been delayed or pressured indoors. The 18-year-old Gauff coped higher than most with the problem posed by the climate as a result of she has been used to rain interruptions by the tropical local weather of her native Florida.
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She did not drop a set all week, although she confronted powerful matches in opposition to former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin and seventh-seeded Danka Kovinic.
“It has been an excellent week for me regardless of the rain,” Gauff stated. “I could not ask for a greater begin to my season.
“It is my first title on onerous courts since I used to be 15 so it is pretty to lastly do nicely on a floor that I like.”
Gauff has regarded in excellent kind all match, constructing her recreation behind a powerful serve. She was highly effective from the baseline and correct when she unleashed passing photographs.
Gauff got here to the online usually and decisively. At any time when she did so she performed with function and executed ruthlessly, pinching off Masarova’s tried passes. Even when each gamers have been on the internet within the fourth recreation of the second set, Gauff stored her composure and lobbed her opponent to take the purpose.
Masarova, ranked No. 130, had an impressive week to achieve her first WTA Tour ultimate. However she was taking part in her eighth straight recreation and that effort could have instructed. She tried the whole lot on Sunday however Gauff had a solution.
“I am glad I used to be capable of attain my first WTA ultimate however I used to be upset with as we speak’s match,” Masarova stated. “I felt I could not actually play my recreation however Coco was taking part in superb and did not actually give me an opportunity.
“I had plenty of powerful matches. I feel that helped me keep bodily good all through the week nevertheless it was a protracted week with the stopping and beginning. I feel I warmed up about 25 occasions.”