Muchova on Gauff Challenge: Wall Ball

By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Saturday, October 5, 2024
Photo credit: Sarah Stier/Getty

The Great Wall of China is a popular attraction for players. 

Karolina Muchova has already experienced wall ball facing Coco Gauff.

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The 20-year-old Gauff carries a 2-0 record against Muchova into a Beijing final of former French Open finalists who are phenomenal athletes.

Gauff has swept all four sets the pair have played leaving a distinct impression on the all-court Czech champion.

Muchova says facing Gauff is like trying to hit through a moveable wall.

“If I look back, I mean, those matches, honestly we played in really tough conditions. It was very hot, very humid,” Muchova said of her 2023 US Open semifinal and Cincinnati final losses to Gauff. “It was very physical. She is such a great athlete. She can run left, right.

“She’s like a moving wall. It’s tough to hit some winners and make it shorter. That’s for sure a challenge. It’s very different here. Very different conditions to US Open and Cincinnati. I’ll try to take advantage of that. Yeah, she’s, again, an amazing athlete, such a great player. It’s the finals, so I wouldn’t expect anything less than that. She’s just great.”

World No. 49 Muchova has played proactive tennis snapping US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka’s 15-match winning streak before sweeping Olympic gold medal champion and home hero Zheng Qinwen in the semifinals.

Muchova is bidding to become the lowest-ranked woman to win a WTA 1000 title since Danielle Collins captured the Miami Open last spring.

The 2023 US Open champion Gauff carries a commanding 7-1 career finals record into the Beijing title match, while Muchova is 1-4 in finals and playing for her first title since 2019 Seoul.  

“Everybody thinks the final, you’re so close. But you’re not. You’re so far away,” Gauff said of her finals approach. “I guess it’s cool. Regardless of what happens today, I’ll still have a winning record in finals. Hopefully I can add one more. If not, it’s okay.

“Karolina, I played her twice, both on hard court. She’s a tough opponent. I think she’s one of the best players on tour. She just had some unlucky breaks with injuries. But it’s good to see her back healthy. That’s going to be a tough matchup. She’s dangerous. Yeah, I think it would be tough.”