Coco Gauff Retains Auckland Title Ahead Of Australian Open

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - JANUARY 07: Coco Gauff of USA celebrates with the trophy after winning the ... [+] Women's singles final match against Elina Svitolina of Ukraine during the 2024 Women's ASB Classic at ASB Tennis Centre on January 07, 2024 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

American tennis sensation Coco Gauff continued her stellar run leading up to the Australian Open by successfully defending her title at the ASB Classic in Auckland, overcoming Elina Svitolina 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-3 in a thrilling Sunday final.

As the top seed at the WTA 250 event, Gauff secured her seventh singles title, setting a triumphant tone a week before the Australian Open’s main draw kicks off at Melbourne Park.

“This is my first time ever having to defend a title, so I'm really happy I was able to do it today,” said Gauff, who claimed her maiden Grand Slam title at the U.S. Open in September.

Reflecting on the tournament, the 19-year-old remarked, “This year's event was a lot different. Last year it rained almost every single match, and we were playing indoors with just a few people watching. So, it's really cool to play in front of a packed crowd almost every match.”

In the opening set, Gauff broke for a 5-3 lead with a forehand passing winner but faced a setback by squandering two set points. This allowed Svitolina to bounce back, taking an early lead in the tiebreak.

It marked the first time Gauff lost a set at the tournament, breaking her 18-set winning streak in Auckland.

Undeterred, the teenager mounted a comeback in the second set, securing a double-break at 5-2 after firing a backhand winner. She then won her third break of the set, leveling the contest and sending the finale to a decisive third set.

Neither player dropped serve in the third set until 4-3, but in the eighth game, Gauff earned a crucial break point with a backhand winner. She then closed out the victory, showcasing her resilience and determination.

Ukraine’s Svitolina, who returned from maternity leave just nine months ago, gracefully congratulated Gauff on her impressive start to 2024.

“I've been enjoying myself here, playing great matches. Tough loss today, of course,” Svitolina added.

World no. 3 Gauff extended her dominance with a remarkable 10th straight victory at the ASB Classic on the hard courts of Auckland.

She now joins an elite group of players who have won back-to-back titles in Auckland, including Patty Fendick (1988 and 1989), Eleni Daniilidou (2003 and 2004), and Julia Goerges (2018 and 2019).

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