Coco Gauff propelled the United States to its second United Cup title in three years, delivering a commanding 6-4, 6-4 victory over world No. 2 Iga Świątek.
This triumph marks Gauff’s second consecutive win against Świątek, signaling a shift in their previously lopsided rivalry.
“I have the belief that I’m one of the best players in the world and, when I play good tennis, I’m hard to beat,” Gauff stated.
The U.S. clinched the United Cup title as Taylor Fritz secured a 6-4, 5-7, 7-6(4) victory over Hubert Hurkacz, resulting in a 2-0 win over Poland in the final.
Gauff’s performance throughout the week was impeccable, maintaining an undefeated record in both singles and doubles. Her recent successes, including a win over Świątek at the WTA Finals in November, bolster her confidence ahead of the Australian Open commencing on January 12.
Sabalenka continues dominant form Down Under
In other developments, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka continued her dominant form by securing the Brisbane International title. She overcame a first-set deficit to defeat world No. 107 Polina Kudermetova 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, marking her 18th career title.
Sabalenka, aiming to become the first woman since Martina Hingis to win three consecutive Australian Open titles, expressed confidence in her preparation: “I definitely feel my game pretty well… Mentally, physically, I’ll be ready to go at the Australian Open.”
Osaka injured ahead of Australian Open
Meanwhile, Naomi Osaka reached her first final since 2022 at the ASB Classic in Auckland but was forced to retire due to an abdominal injury after winning the first set 6-4 against Denmark’s Clara Tauson. Osaka, who returned to tennis in early 2024 after prioritizing her mental health and becoming a mother, remains hopeful for her performance in the upcoming Australian Open.
These developments set the stage for an exciting Australian Open, with Gauff’s rising momentum, Sabalenka’s pursuit of a historic third consecutive title, and Osaka’s anticipated return to Grand Slam competition.