World number six Coco Gauff dominated unseeded Czech Karolina Muchova to clinch the China Open final with a 6-1, 6-3 victory on Sunday, becoming the first player in the Open Era to win each of her first seven WTA hardcourt finals. Gauff delivered a strong performance, firing off 24 winners, to secure the Beijing trophy, adding it to her win at the Auckland Classic earlier this year. This marks her second WTA 1000 title, following her 2023 victory in Cincinnati, where she also defeated Muchova in the final.

Gauff improved her head-to-head record against Muchova to 3-0 and has now won eight out of her nine WTA finals. "I want to congratulate you, Karolina, it's great to see you back on tour," Gauff said of her opponent, who had an extended absence due to a wrist injury sustained at the 2023 US Open. "I think you're an amazing player and deserve everything, hopefully, you'll play in many more finals."

This tournament marked Gauff's first with her new coaching team, including Matt Daly, following her split with Brad Gilbert last month. "I would like to thank my team. It's our first tournament together as a full, complete team," Gauff said. "Thank you, Matt, this is our first tournament together, and it's going well, so thank you for helping me throughout this week."

Heading into the final, Gauff had lost the first set in three consecutive matches, but she seemed determined to change that trend. She served to love in the opening game and broke early for a 2-0 lead. The American continued to build on that momentum, holding serve twice more without dropping a point, before breaking again to lead 5-1. After dropping no points in her first three service games, Gauff faced a break point but managed to clinch the set with a powerful forehand winner.

Gauff's serve faltered early in the second set, leading to two double faults in her opening service game, allowing Muchova to break for a 2-0 lead. However, the American responded by increasing her aggression and approaching the net to break back immediately. Muchova, who had previously defeated Australian Open and US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka and Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, appeared deflated after losing her advantage and won just two points in the next three games as Gauff took a 4-2 lead. The pair traded holds before Gauff sealed the win by breaking serve when Muchova's backhand sailed long on match point.

Earlier on Sunday, Paris Olympics gold medallists Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini defeated Chan Hao-Ching and Veronika Kudermetova 6-4, 6-4 in the women's doubles final to claim their third WTA Tour title of the year.