Gauff turns breaks into breakthrough in Wuhan semifinal

On the hard courts of Wuhan, where the ball bites low and fast, Coco Gauff navigated a semifinal full of chaos to defeat Jasmine Paolini 6-4, 6-3 in 1 hour and 22 minutes. The third seed absorbed 11 consecutive breaks that swung momentum wildly, yet she held her nerve to rally from three deficits in the second set and claim the final four games. This victory marks her first over the Italian this year and propels her to her debut Dongfeng Voyah Wuhan Open final, the third WTA 1000 final of 2025 and fourth overall.

Weathering relentless service breaks

The opening set tilted like a pendulum, with Paolini’s aggressive returns forcing Gauff into extended crosscourt rallies from the baseline. Gauff responded with inside-out forehands that tested the Italian’s movement, but flat backhand down-the-line winners kept the pressure on, leading to those unbroken breaks. In the eighth game, she steadied by deploying a deep kick second serve, setting up a crisp 1–2 punch to snag the set and finally gain the upper hand.

As the second set unfolded under the Optics Valley International Tennis Centre lights, the crowd’s energy pulsed with each shift, amplifying the tension. Paolini struck first with a break, then another, her quick footwork turning Gauff’s power into errors on the grippy surface. For live updates from the tournament, explore Wuhan: Scores | Draws | Order of play.

Adapting tactics amid mounting pressure

Gauff refused to fade, countering the breaks with underspin slices that disrupted Paolini’s rhythm on slower exchanges and drew unforced errors. Stepping inside the baseline more assertively, she redirected pace into inside-in forehands, exploiting the hard court’s bounce to turn defense into decisive offense. Her visible frustration after the third break down transformed into focused determination, fist pumps syncing with the roaring stands as she held serve when it counted most.

This match highlighted Gauff’s evolution on hard courts, where her mix of high topspin and low slices wears down opponents faster than on clay. Paolini’s compact swings and speed pushed back fiercely, but the American’s experience in big moments—honed through deep runs this season—prevailed, echoing the mental edge she showed in toppling Aryna Sabalenka at Roland Garros. The Italian fought with venomous crosscourt redirects, yet Gauff’s adjustments neutralized them, sealing the win with controlled aggression.

Building toward Sunday’s showdown

Arriving at this stage after a grueling 2025 calendar, Gauff carries the weight of expectations from her grand slam triumph and consistent elite performances. The semifinal’s frenzy, rather than breaking her, refueled the resilience that has defined her year, positioning her to climb higher in the rankings with another strong finish. Awaiting either Sabalenka or another foe in the final, she eyes a matchup where her improved retrieval and serve-volley could shine, promising more high-stakes drama on Wuhan’s swift stage.