A Week in Review: Gauff’s Path Takes Muchova Promotes Czech Elites

The Insider Wrap recaps everything you need to know from the previous week. Last week, Coco Gauff won her first WTA 1000 title as part of the Western & Southern Open.

Performance of the Week: Coco Gauff

Two weeks ago, Gauff won her first WTA 500 title in Washington, D.C. As her title progression took another step, it didn’t take long for the 19-year-old to move up again. when she became the WTA 1000 champion after winning the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati.

Champions Corner: Gauff confident still stands with upcoming US Open

Not only was her fifth career title her highest, but Gauff achieved that by beating world No. 1 Iga Swiatek along the way. Gauff had previously been 0-7 against Swiatek (and 0- 14 in sets), but the American teenager toppled top seed Cincy in the semifinals en route to the crown.

Now a top 10 mainstay for nearly a year, Gauff learned about it. As she said, “embracing [expectations] But also focus on your linear path. I think the biggest thing I’ve learned is that not everyone’s path is real. not what is about to happen Even the path that I wanted could not happen.

“You gave it your best. That’s all you can do. I’ll give my all in the US Open if everything goes well. That would be exciting. If not, I’ll go back to working hard and getting ready for the next one.” One, that’s the mentality you must have.”

Weekly breakthrough: Karolina Muchova

Mukova won four three-setters in Cincinnati before losing to Goff in the championship. However, Cech ended the week as a WTA 1000 finalist for the first time and posted a stunned start. Progressing in the rankings, she reached the top 10 for the first time in her career.

The 27-year-old, who reached her first Grand Slam final at Roland Garros this spring too. Able to overcome injuries from overuse injuries same as last year to rebound rank as well as her compatriot and friend, reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova.

Vondrousova and Muchova now soar into the top 10 as the Czech No. 1 and No. 2, leading the current rankings of one of the top countries on the Tour, Petra Kvitova and fellow Barbora Krejcikova. The Czech national is directly behind at 11th and 12th respectively.

“Me and Marketa were out last year. [the Top] 200,” Musovova said. “Tomorrow, we’re both in the top 10. I saw it. It’s really touching. It’s great. I’m very happy for you, for myself. And then there was another Czech group behind us. It was good to see that they were doing so well.”

roll of honor

Alycia Parks and Taylor Townsend: “I really enjoyed playing with Taylor. She’s always been my dream partner — believe it or not,” Parkes exclaimed after the late night finals in Cincinnati. After a week of the first teammates gathering. It’s pretty easy to believe.

Champions Corner: Parks and Townsend’s dreams come true in Cincinnati

Parks and Townsend posted frustrations during the week, beating four top-5 teams in a row to win their first WTA 1000 double. Townsend has reached the finals or won the championship with 5 duos in the last 12 months. which supports her current status as a top 5 doubles player.

Marketa Vondrousova: The reigning Wimbledon champion continues to back up her first Grand Slam title with a solid performance. Cincinnati advanced to the quarterfinals before falling to No. 1 seed Ika Sviatek, sending Vondrousova up to a new career No. 9 spot.

Jasmine Paolini: The Italian rider reached a new career high of No. 35 by qualifying for his first WTA 1000 quarter-final in Cincinnati as a qualifier. Paulini became the first Italian to reach the quarterfinals of Cincinnati. since Roberta Vinci in 2013

Wang Yafan and Tatyana Maria: Last week’s WTA 125 champions included Wang, who helped her regain her ranks quickly with a Stanford title, and Maria, who continued to excel on Colombian soil with a Barranquilla crown.

Outstanding number

2: Coco Gauff is only the second American player to win five WTA titles as a teenager this century after Serena Williams.

4: When her Cincinnati counterpart beat No. 16 Veronica Kudermetova in the first round, Venus Williams secured her first top-20 spot in four years. Her most recent first was over No. 5 Kiki Bertens at Cincinnati in 2019.

10: Iga Swiatek is the third youngest player to reach 10 WTA 1000 semi-finals. Since the initial WTA 1000 tournament in 2009, only Caroline Wozniacki and Victoria Azarenka have reached a WTA 1000 semi-final. 10 times from a young age

68: Karolina Muchova earned 68 net points this week in Cincinnati, the second most of any player at this year’s WTA 1000. Muchova’s performance surpassed only her own performance at Indian Wells. where she earned 85 net points during the tournament.

photo of the week

Capture the moment before world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka shows off her powerful play.

next

The WTA 250 Tennis in the Land kicks off in Cleveland on Sunday. with Laylah Fernandez was the first round winner, world No. 7 Caroline Garcia and 2021 Roland Garros champion Barbora Krejcikova were the top two.

This coming week also features the WTA 125 in Chicago, as well as qualifying for the final grand slam of the year, the US Open. The main draw at the US Open begins on Monday, August 28.