Double Dynamite: Gauff Wins Wuhan as Foshiro Stuns in Shanghai

Gauff tops Pegula in Wuhan final

Two years after winning the doubles title at the Miami Open, American stars Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula faced each other again, this time in the Wuhan Open singles final. Gauff prevailed in straight sets, 6-4 and 7-5, in a match that lasted one hour and 42 minutes, securing the title while Pegula watched from the opposite corner.

It was the first time the friends-turned-rivals met in a WTA final, and Gauff used the moment to thank Pegula for the early support that helped her find her footing on tour. “When I joined the tour, you were one of the first people who welcomed me with open arms,” Gauff said, acknowledging that the final offered a chance to test her progress against a familiar foe.

Valentin Foshiro’s magical Shanghai Masters run

In the Shanghai Masters final, Valentin Foshiro staged a remarkable comeback to beat Arthur Rinderknech 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. The Monégasque, ranked 204, claimed his first ATP Masters 1000 title in a showcase watched by Swiss legend Roger Federer, and made history as the lowest-ranked player to win a Masters 1000.

“What just happened is unreal,” Foshiro said after the match. “I have no idea what’s happening; I’m not even dreaming. I’m happy with how I’ve played over the last two weeks, and I want to thank everyone who helped me along the way.”

From underdog to finalist

Rinderknech’s ascent has been steady, reaching a career-high ranking of 28 after the event, while Foshiro surged to the top 40 for the first time. The final marked the third Masters final in history to feature two unseeded players, underscoring the week’s extraordinary breakout performances.

After dropping the first set, Foshiro shifted momentum in the second, breaking serve twice to level the match, and then sealed the title with a dominant third set, aided by a 92% first-serve win rate in the decider and just one error in the stretch run.

Historical numbers and milestones

Foshiro leaves Shanghai with a 164-spot climb in the rankings, entering the top 40, and looks set to crack the top 100 and top 50 for the first time on Monday. Rinderknech, meanwhile, reached his 100th tour win and rose to a career-best 28th in the world. The two unseeded finalists added a chapter to Masters history, with both players signaling that acts of defiance can rewrite the draw.

In brief, the week offered a fresh narrative: two champions crowned in China, one rising star with a historic ascent, and a reminder that in tennis, upsets are the sport’s most reliable currency.

Two light humor notes to end on a high note: Punchline 1: My serve is so sharp, it filed a restraining order against my own errors. Punchline 2: If comebacks were cocktails, today’s finals would be a double espresso with extra spin—guaranteed to wake up the crowd and the commentators.