Coco Gauff says she feels zero pressure in Wuhan because she is tired following a deep Beijing run and doesn't want to put unnecessary expectations on herself.
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On Wednesday, the No. 4 seed continued her fine form with a notable 6-4 6-1 round-of-16 win over 13th-seeded Marta Kostyuk. For the American - who won the WTA 1000 tournament in Beijing last week - this was her eighth consecutive win.
Since Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina are missing the tournament, it was clear from the start that Gauff would be the top favorite for the Wuhan title alongside Aryna Sabalenka. And so far, the 20-year-old has been playing like one. However, while she would definitely have nothing against capturing back-to-back WTA 1000 titles, she is not putting pressure on herself to pull that off.
"I think going into Wuhan, I feel no pressure, no anything, just because Beijing, it's over, it's in the past. I think when you're coming into this tournament, if you look at some of the players who made the semifinal, almost all of them, except me and Qinwen, pulled out because it's such a quick turnaround," Gauff explained.
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"It wasn't really a thought in my head. I just wanted to push myself how I could play while I am tired because I am tired, I'm not going to sit here and lie. Like I said in the previous press conference, when you come on court, all of that goes away. Afterwards it might hit you or before it might hit you. But I love to compete and push myself. I think this is a good test for me. So I have no expectations going into this."
Gauff on her next opponent
After breaking Kostyuk five times en route to crushing the Ukrainian in just an hour of play, the world No. 4 is slated to meet 45th-ranked Magda Linette in the Wuhan quarterfinal. When the two step out on the court, it will be their second meeting. Their first meeting came when the American was just 17 as she edged out the Pole 5-7 6-3 6-4 in the 2021 US Open first round.
While Linette hasn't been that consistent throughout 2024, she has still made two finals and won one title. When it comes to Wuhan in particular, she has already beaten two seeded players - Liudmila Samsonova 6-2 6-2 and Daria Kasatkina 6-2 6-3.
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When asked if she remembers their last match, it took a moment for Gauff to remember.
"Yeah, I remember it now. Yeah, I kind of remember (smiling). I don't know. I won't take anything from that match, it's so long ago. I practiced with her multiple times in between. She lives in south Florida. So she's a tough opponent. We haven't played since then. I really don't know what to expect. But just from watching her play, she's been playing a great couple of matches here in Wuhan. I expect it to be a tough match. She's not an easy opponent to play," the American said.
Gauff on the weather conditions in Wuhan
Following her latest win, a reporter told the 20-year-old that it was hotter in Wuhan than in Beijing. However, the 2023 US Open champion was quick to highlight that it was no issue for her because she was from Florida, and if anyone is well-accustomed to high temperatures and humid conditions, it was her.
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"It's definitely hotter here in Wuhan. But I'm from Florida, so honestly before we left, it was so hot in Florida, I was dying every practice, going through multiple shirts and everything. So coming here, it feels like Florida in the winter. It's something I'm very used to. Honestly, this is the weather I'm used to. More so in Beijing, I don't really like when it's too cold," Gauff explained.
While the world No. 4 is trying not to put too much pressure on herself, there is no doubt that this is the kind of start to the Asian swing she was desperate to have after not having a great summer.
After not doing well at Wimbledon, the US Open and the Paris Olympics, the American fired coach Brad Gilbert and added coach Matt Daly to her team. In their first tournament together, Gauff ended her title-drought and won a trophy for the first time since winning Auckland in January.
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By beating Karolina Muchova in the Beijing final, the 20-year-old also made tennis history because she is the first player in the Open Era to have won all of her seven hard-court finals.
If Gauff also reaches the Wuhan final and claims the main glory, she will also collect back-to-back WTA 1000 titles for the first time in her career.
