AUCKLAND – Top seeded American Coco Gauff made a commanding start to the new season on Sunday by beating Spanish qualifier Viktoria Masarova 6-1, 6-1 in the final of the ASB Classic.
Gauff claimed her third WTA Tour title but her first on hard courts in years, boosting her confidence ahead of the Australian Open.
The game was interrupted by another of the long rain breaks typical of a week in Auckland where games were either postponed or forced indoors. The 18-year-old Gauff mastered the challenge of the weather better than almost anyone else, as she is used to rain breaks due to the tropical climate of her native Florida.
She didn’t drop a set all week despite facing tough matches against former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin and seventh-placed Danka Kovinic.
“Despite the rain, it was a great week for me,” said Gauff. “I couldn’t wish for a better start to the season.
“It’s my first title on hard courts since I was 15, so it’s nice to finally be able to do well on a surface that I love.”
Gauff has looked in great form all tournament, building her game from behind a powerful serve. She was powerful and accurate from the baseline when dishing out passing shots.
Gauff came to the net often and decisively. Whenever she did, she played carefully and ruthlessly converted, nipping off Masarova’s passing attempts. Even when both players were on the net in the fourth game of the second set, Gauff kept his composure and lulled her opponent to win a point.
Masarova, ranked 130th, had a stellar week to reach her maiden WTA Tour final. But she played her eighth straight game and that effort may have shown it. She tried everything on Sunday, but Gauff had an answer.
“I’m glad I was able to reach my first WTA final, but I was disappointed with today’s match,” said Masarova. “I felt like I couldn’t really play my game but Coco played fantastic and didn’t really give me a chance.
“I had a lot of tough games. I think that helped me stay physically good throughout the week, but it was a long week of stopping and starting. I think I warmed up about 25 times.”
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