WTA Finals champion Coco Gauff has yet to drop a set at the United Cup. Team USA is considered the favorite for the title among many, but still cannot afford complacency against Team China in the quarterfinal. Gao Xinyu faces the unenviable task of trying to beat Gauff in Perth. In a separate article, we at LWOT predict the other singles match in the tie, Taylor Fritz vs Zhizhen Zhang.
United Cup Prediction
Coco Gauff vs Gao Xinyu
Head-to-head: First meeting
Gauff entered the 2025 season with momentum after an outstanding end to 2024. After splitting with Brad Gilbert and hiring Matt Daly, she won the China Open in Beijing before securing a maiden WTA Finals title. The improvements in Gauff’s forehand, particularly, were noticeable and have continued at the United Cup. She has won two singles and two doubles matches without dropping a set, with her dominant victory against Olympic silver medalist Donna Vekic being the most impressive.
Gao is ranked outside the Top 100 but has been one of the surprise packages at this year’s United Cup. She defeated Beatriz Haddad Maia and Laura Siegemund in three sets to help Team China reach the quarterfinals. However, the 27-year-old needs something special to beat Gauff. Gao likes to get on the front foot and be aggressive but does not possess the overwhelming firepower needed to trouble Gauff, the best hardcourt mover in women’s tennis.
There should be plenty of enjoyable rallies, and Gao might thrive in an environment where she has nothing to lose. But that is very unlikely to be enough against the world No. 3, especially since Gauff is in great form right now.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
