MATCH REPORT | 2024 ASB Classic: Coco GAUFF opens new season with Auckland title defence denying SVITOLINA

Coco Gauff has sealed the ASB Classic once again by defeating Elina Svitolina 6-7, 6-3, 6-3 on Sunday morning in Auckland. After sealing the title last year, she was on a mission to retain it as if she didn't, she couldn't return in future due to her ranking now.

That mission was a success albeit with some hiccups along the way against Svitolina who herself was 17-3 in finals previously and was all set for the fight against the US Open champion who had been imperious all week albeit facing lesser opposition.

Gauff got an early break in the tie and despite being broken back eventually, she served for the opening set at 5-3. However, Gauff faltered with two set points and Svitolina returned to the foray to send it to the tie-break and stole the first set from her opponent.

Gauff may have been thinking this is deja vu all over again after going 5-3 up in the second and failing to serve it out. But this time after being broken back, she won the second set 6-3 finally to avert any late tie-break drama. Both held on to their serve for as long as possible in the final game with no player giving an inch in pursuit of the title.

This was despite Svitolina having an MTO on her foot during the start of the final set. However in the eighth game of the final set, Gauff broke Svitolina and found her way to win the match from there. She quickly took to social media to share her delight at winning the title and will now be able to return to defend it.