By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Saturday, October 5, 2024
Photo: Sarah Stier/Getty
The Great Wall of China is a popular attraction for gamers.
Karolina Muchova has already experienced facing the wall Coco Gauff.
More: WADA appeals sinner’s doping case, seeks ban for world number 1
The 20-year-old Gauff holds a 2-0 record against Muchova in a Beijing final of the former French Open finalists, who are phenomenal athletes.
Gauff has swept all four sets the pair have played, leaving a distinct impression on the Czech all-around champion.
Muchova says facing Gauff is like trying to punch through a movable wall.
“If I look back, I mean, those matches, honestly we played in really tough conditions. It was very hot, very humid,” Muchova said of her 2023 US Open semifinal and Cincinnati final losses to Gauff. “It was very physical. She’s a great athlete. She can run left, right.
“She’s like a moving wall. It’s hard to hit some winners and make it shorter. That’s definitely a challenge. It’s very different here. Very different conditions to the US Open and Cincinnati. I’ll try to take advantage of this. Yes, She is, again, a great athlete, it’s a final, so I wouldn’t expect anything less.
World No. 49 Muchova played proactive tennis as she snapped US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka’s 15-game winning streak before Olympic gold medalist and home hero Zheng Qinwen in the semi-finals.
Muchova is attempting to become the lowest-ranked woman to win a WTA 1000 title since Danielle Collins won the Miami Open last spring.
2023 US Open champion Gauff carries a commanding 7-1 career finals record into the Beijing title match, while Muchova is 1-4 in finals and playing for her first title since Seoul 2019.
“Everybody thinks the final, you’re so close. But you’re not. You’re so far away,” Gauff said of her approach to the final. “I think it’s good. No matter what happens today, I’ll still have a record of wins in the finals. Hopefully I can add another one. If not, that’s OK.
“Carolina, I played her twice, both on hard courts. She’s a tough opponent. I think she’s one of the best players in the tournament. She’s just had a couple of unlucky breaks with injuries. But she’s fine to see her back healthy. This is going to be a tough matchup. She’s dangerous.
