Reflecting on her performance swing in China, Gauff noted that she had felt pressure as the defending champion at the China Open earlier this month but regained her rhythm in Wuhan.

Gauff said that China has always been a "lucky place" for her, adding that the fans are amazing and their support makes her feel calm on court.

Gauff also praised her opponent. "I have a huge amount of respect for her," she said. "Being on tour, young, at 15, I had really no friends, no one to look to, no one to look up to that was nice to me. She was one of those players that always remained nice to me and instilled positivity to me. So I appreciate her a lot."

In the women's doubles final, the Czech-Australian pairing of Katerina Siniakova and Storm Hunter took a commanding 6-3, 6-2 victory over No. 8 seeds Anna Danilina and Aleksandra Krunic, capturing their second title together after winning in Dubai in 2024.

The win marked Siniakova's fourth doubles title of the year and 32nd of her career, while Hunter celebrated her ninth career doubles crown.

liyingxue@chinadaily.com.cn