What did you make of the final between the two Americans? 🇺🇸 🎾

Jessica Pegula shares what she wants to say to Coco Gauff after losing the Wuhan Open final to her

Jessica Pegula fell just short of a 10th WTA Tour title at the Wuhan Open after losing her final with Coco Gauff.

Sixth seed Pegula lost 4-6, 5-7 to third seed Gauff, having knocked out 2024 champion Aryna Sabalenka to reach the Wuhan Open final.

Pegula beat Hailey Baptiste in her opener at the WTA 1000 tournament, before beating Ekaterina Alexandrova and Katerina Siniakova en route to the final.

But she met her match against Gauff, who has claimed her second title of the season after triumphing at the French Open.

A rematch between the two Americans is on the cards next month, with both Pegula and Gauff having qualified for the WTA Finals Riyadh.

Coco Gauff reacts in the Wuhan Open final.

Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images

Jessica Pegula congratulates Coco Gauff after losing the Wuhan Open final to her
Pegula referenced that potential reunion in her post-match speech, in which the runner-up showed all of her class.

She said on court: “I just want to say congrats to Coco and her team. Amazing job this week guys. You played some great tennis this week. Congrats and all the best.

“I know we will see each other soon at the WTA Finals. It was an honour to play you as a friend and a fellow American. That was a lot of fun to be able to play and all the best.”

Their Wuhan Open final represented their seventh meeting on the WTA Tour, where Pegula now edges Gauff 4-3.

More Tennis News
COCO IN STRAIGHT SETS 🏆🙌@CocoGauff | #WuhanOpen pic.twitter.com/RHYyK7vGjV

— wta (@WTA) October 12, 2025
View Tweet
Jessica Pegula has a message for her coach after losing the Wuhan Open final
Pegula continued her fantastic season at the Wuhan Open, with the American boasting three titles in 2025.

She won in Bad Homburg, Charleston and Austin, and will have the chance to add to that tally in Riyadh in November

Jessica Pegula plays at the Wuhan Open
Photo by Wang He/Getty Images
And while there was ultimately no Asian swing success, the American was proud of her efforts alongside her coach Mark Merklein.

Turning to him on the court in Wuhan, she said: “Thanks so much for being able to turn out the Asian swing pretty successful this year compared to last year.

“I am always trying to get better and work through a lot of challenges, so thanks for that. I think we can go home feeling pretty proud.”

READ MORE: Serena Williams’ former coach makes a bold claim about Coco Gauff’s future after watching her recent serving performance

Pegula also took time to thank others, adding in her speech: “I just want to thank the tournament for putting on such a great event.

“It was awesome to come back and see some improvements from last year. The fans, the volunteers, everyone who helps out.

“Everyone is so friendly, walking through the hallways and locker rooms. Everyone is so nice and supportive and has done such an amazing job to put on this event.

“Thank you everyone for supporting me all week. Thank you to the fans in China, you guys have been amazing, I did not know I had this many fans in China! It’s been incredible.

“The amount of support I have felt not just here but everywhere in China has grown every single day, so thank you guys so much. I appreciate it and can’t wait to be back.”

Pegula now heads home after a very busy schedule, but the hard work will continue shortly in a bid to prepare for the WTA Finals.

Gauff won the event last year, with another American winner very much possible given that she is in the field alongside Pegula, Madison Keys and Amanda Anisimova.