Coco Gauff makes good on "New szn, better me" promise with United Cup title win
Gauff set up the US victory over Poland in the final beating Iga Swiatek 6-4, 6-4 in Sydney, Australia on Sunday (5 August).
Tennis
US tennis ace Coco Gauff made a winning start to 2025, beating former world number Iga Swiatek in the final of the United Cup in Sydney on Sunday (5 August).
Gauff and Taylor Fritz won their singles matches in the mixed team event to hand the United States their second title in three years.
The 20-year-old Gauff was in fine fettle during the tournament, culminating in a straight-sets 6-4, 6-4 victory over Swiatek. Gauff was unbeaten in women's singles throughout the competition boasting triumphs over Leylah Fernandez, Donna Vekic, Zhang Shuai, and Karolina Muchova.
Fritz delivered the knockout blow beating Hubert Hurkacz 6-4, 5-7, 7-6(4) in the men’s singles rubber.
Gauff seems to have broken Swiatek’s hold on her, with back-to-back victories over the Polish sensation. Swiatek still holds an outright advantage with 11 wins in their 14 career encounters.
"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 said.
"Today I think I played some great tennis. I'm glad I was able to get a point for Team USA. It was tough today, I'm not gonna lie."
Gauff laid the foundation for the United States in the opening singles match against Swiatek to finish the tournament without dropping a set.
She started the new year the way she ended 2024 by adding another tournament title to her growing list of accolades. Gauff claimed her claim her maiden WTA Finals title in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia last year by beating Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-4, 7-6.
She had sounded a warning to her competitors on the eve of the New Year with a social media post that read: “we are so back. New szn, better me.”