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Coco Gauff joined Aryna Sabalenka as titlist in the opening week of the 2023 women’s tennis calendar. The American dominated Spanish qualifier, Rebeka Masarova in the ASB Classic final, in Auckland, Sunday. Gauff needed just 75 minutes to post a 6-1, 6-1 win.
Gauff won 70% of her first-serve points to Masarova’s 56% and 45% of her second-serve points. But the teenager was quite potent when it came to returning her opponent’s second serves. Gauff ended the match by winning 87% points on return on Masarova’s second serve.
Both players faced 10 break points each with the champion staving off all of them while converting five break points on Masarova’s serve. Gauff finished the match with 69 points to her opponent’s 46.
ASB Classic: Coco Gauff shows intent as she heads to Melbourne
All throughout the week, the players had to deal with rain delays, including in the final.
Speaking about rain interruptions, Gauff shared after the win, “Honestly, a great week for me despite the rain. Couldn't ask for a better start to my season. First title on hard since I was 15. I'm happy to be successful on a surface that I love”.
Gauff didn’t drop a set across the entire tournament in which she was the no. 1 seed. “It gives me a lot of confidence, honestly. You never know how your first week is gonna go. Could be good or terrible. But I think it's been a great week for both of us,” she added.
Meanwhile, Masarova who’d had a good run herself in New Zealand, in which she upset the second-seeded Sloane Stephens, shared that she was a little disappointed. “My first WTA final, I'm really disappointed with today's match.
I couldn't really play my game. Coco was playing amazing. The few chances I had she played really unbelievable”. The ASB Classic´s the third title of Coco Gauff´s career. Photo Credit: Australian Open Twitter