The first-ever combined WTA and ATP 500 tournament at the Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington will conclude on Sunday night with a match between Coco Gauff v Maria Sakkari. It will also be the biggest title of their careers so far in both cases and begins their US Open swing campaigns firmly in form.
Read also
Tale of the tape for Sakkari
Road to the final wise Sakkari has seen off Leylah Fernandez, Madison Keys and Jessica Pegula so some of the best American and Canadian talent on offer. She only dropped a set against Pegula in the semi-finals and has looked superb all week. This was also a week that she proved many wrong as she hit out at critics for semi-final defeats and also her lack of titles.
It would be a first title since Rabat in 2019 with Sakkari being the model of consistency on tour without the rewards that her efforts have deserved. It will be her eighth career final with six runner-ups so far and is her first since losing to Pegula last year in Guadalajara.
Tale of the tape for Gauff
For Gauff, it is the first final with Brad Gilbert in her corner, and has reaped immediate rewards. She has seen off Hailey Baptiste, Belinda Bencic and Liudmila Samsonova en route to the final. Not dropping a set and being comprehensive in all her wins this week.
It is a fifth career final and could be her second title of the year. She last won back in Auckland in January but this would represent the first WTA 500 crown to add to her collection. Triumphing at Linz, Emilia-Romagna and Auckland, she admits the first WTA 500 win isn't something she paid much attention to pre tournament.
“It’s something that honestly I didn’t really think about it (before this week started),” Gauff said of advancing to the final. “Like, a win is a win — but also, in the same point, yeah, it’s cool. I did say at the beginning of this year that I wanted to do better in these 500 and 1000-level tournaments. I know I made the semis in Dubai and semis in Berlin, so I’m happy to finally get through to the final.”
Head to Head
But despite the final wins meaning that Gauff is favoured, Sakkari owns a comprehensive 4-1 record over her. Their most recent meeting was in Rome back in 2022 which was won by Sakkari 6-4, 7-5. In terms of sets even, Sakkari has won nine to two of Gauff over their meetings. Many will feel that eventually Sakkari will get over this final hoodoo, but will it be today or will Gauff add to her growing title haul?
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- Wtf? Why is there no reason? And what about the men's?Bel08-11-2026
- One step by another step -- WTA continues to 'lose the plot'. Too many hi-tech microphones being installed at most venues!!! Remove them (especially those along the hallways, sidewalks, and pathways throughout the venues. Not to mention (most of all) remove the mic's from the Players/Coaches Box.
mandoist06-11-2026 - Enough of her bullshit. Go marry someone.mandoist06-11-2026
- Don't you just love this young lady!? We fans often expect athletes to be supermen and superwomen, often forgetting that they WILL GET TIRED! I love Alex's perspective. Tiredness for an athlete should never be viewed as a negative, especially if you are healthy, taking care of your body and mental health and putting in the work. What a mature perspective. Good for you, Alex!Rapunzel05-11-2026
- Jess is absolutely correct! But the disrespect is a trait I have noticed in most of the Russian players. Mirra is good but very immature and lacks humility. Conceivable needs to get a handle on that!Rapunzel05-11-2026
- Having spent weeks and weeks through the years on tour, I can say with confidence that Conchita was (is) one of the very few who realize the surprising level of maturity (and sometimes lack of) which Mirra seems to have developed in such a demanding adult world of Pro-Tennis. While at the same time reminding herself (Conchita, that is) that Mirra is still young and developing mentally and physically. The general public may forget at times, or not at all realize, these modern era young athletes do not have a 'normal' Youth. It's a major sacrifice, among countless sacrifices, these athletes must make. People who blow-off that fact are ignorant and unfair when they blurt out, "They choose fame so they have to put up with the intrusions on their lives". No, they do not.mandoist05-11-2026
- Okay... someone with a camera was EAVESDROPPING on a private conversation. Shouldn't that be the point of discussion here? Regardless of the sensationalist crap by media, Pegula (and anyone) has a right to an opinion. There used to be an expectation that private conversations were respected, regardless of 'stardom' and whatever other defensive excuses media tries to shove in our faces. Boo-hoo if feelings are hurt. BTW: Having been employed at various tourney venues, etc., I can't tell you how nasty and offensive players can be when discussing their opponents and colleagues... in "private". Well, I could, but won't. I also challenge anyone to deny what Jessica said is false.mandoist05-11-2026
- Vacherot is Mongasque, rather than Swiss. The tournament was Swiss :DTrwd7702-11-2026
- After a couple decades traveling to IIHF tourneys overseas... our family is done with it... and I will not be the only one!! Bad enough the NHL allows Ovachenko (a Putin Supporter and Campaigner) to live and play in the USA. Let's not forget the STATE SPONSORED RUSSIAN DOPING PROGRAMS still in effect today.mandoist31-10-2026
- Osaka's mental state apparently does not allow her to reach any more Quarter Finals? I mean, she doesn't really have the time for tennis with all the pre-planning that must go into her 12 year-old "fashion" goals.mandoist29-10-2026
