The Weekly Recap: Pro Tennis Around The Globe

What happened in pro tennis around the globe in the past week? Plenty. We can't cover it all here but a few key highlights follow below in order to catch you up on all the action... 

Coco Gauff Stuns in Beijing

Above: Coco Gauff. Photo credit: New Balance.

After a disappointing US Open title defense attempt, Coco Gauff is back on it. And it's been a pretty incredible week for the 20-year-old. She won all six of her matches, including a few tight battles, to lift the trophy at the WTA 1000 level event. Her first task against Clara Burel was won in straight sets, as well as her second match against 25th seed Katie Boulter. In a blockbuster third round, Gauff took down Naomi Osaka after the Japanese star had to retire. The score was tied at one-set-all before a gracious Gauff helped her opponent carry her bags off court. The quarterfinals is where things got more spicy---and her opponent was an unseeded 24-year-old named Yulia Starodubtsewa. But credit to the Ukrainian who played masterful tennis and put up a good fight, eventually losing 6-2, 2-6, 2-6. The American's next match also went to three sets and that was against 15th seed Paula Badosa. Once again, her opponent claimed the first set, but Gauff soared back to win 4-6, 6-4, 6-2. And in the final, against an in-form Karolina Muchova coming off a US Open semi-final run, the American showed no fear storming to victory 6-1, 6-3. Gauff said during a press conference: "Everybody can do everything in practice. This time, when the pressure is on the line, I was just trying to force myself to do things I was uncomfortable with. So yeah, I think the result is now reassurance that I am in the right direction."  

Shanghai Laden With Rain as Tournament Begins

Above: Jannik Sinner. Photo credit: Todd Pechter for Florida Tennis.

Over in Shanghai, at the ATP 1000 event, things are just getting started---well, sort of. Things are a bit all over the place as rain is disrupting the start, with many matches getting delayed. But for the next week it looks like clear skies are ahead, and with that comes very spectacular tennis. #1 seed Jannik Sinner is into the fourth round. In the first round, he received a bye, and in the second round he defeated Taro Daniel in two sets with ease. His last match, against Tomas Martin Etcheverry went a bit different. The Argentinian won the first set 7-6, but Sinner was able to calm his nerves and rush to victory 6-4, 6-2 in the next two. Carlos Alcaraz is also into the fourth round, but he's gotten a bit unlucky in his first two opponents: J.C. Shang and Wu Yibing who are both Chinese! Even though Alcaraz didn't quite have the crowd support he would have hoped for, that didn't stop him at all, winning both battles comfortably. While it may seem like everybody is caught up in the younger generation of players, an old friend is back for more. Novak Djokovic won his first match against American Alex Michelsen, although not in the most dominant fashion. The 20-year-old took the Serbian to two tiebreaks, but Djokovic was able to play excellent tennis when it mattered most, and that's what got him the win. Due to the rain, Djokovic hasn't even played his second match yet, but we'll keep you updated as the tournament starts to get interesting. 

Wuhan Features Packed Draw as Tournament Kicks Off

Above: Jessica Pegula. Photo credit: Todd Pechter for Florida Tennis.

Another WTA 1000 event, the Wuhan Open, began yesterday, and it has a lot of big names in the mix. The top seed is Aryna Sabalenka, who looks to continue her dominance after her US Open victory. Seeded 2nd, American Jessica Pegula also wants to maintain momentum after she reached the final before losing to Sabalenka back in NYC. Speaking of Americans, Coco Gauff, Madison Keys and Emma Navarro will carry the American flag, accompanied by Ashlyn Krueger, Amanda Anisimova, Sofia Kenin, Caroline Dolehide, and Katie Volynets. Other top players including Jasmine Paolini are also in the mix---making it all the more exiting as the action kicks off.

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Written by William Turvey. Top Photo: ATP Tour.