Fired up Coco Gauff: ‘I train for moments like this’
Coco Gauff and Karolina Muchova had contrasting assessments of their respective physical conditions ahead of the Western & Southern Open final.
Gauff has asserted that she is feeling fresh and in great shape ahead of the showdown with the 26-year-old Czech.
The American would be the first teenager and fourth home player to win the Cincy title.
Gauff has spent six hours and 24 minutes on court in Cincinnati with her win over Iga Swiatek the only three-setter she has played.
After her three-hour clash Gauff was feeling suprisingly fresh and fired up.
“I didn’t feel like [the match] was close to three hours,” Gauff said.
“I feel like physically I’m just really in shape. Really, I feel like the only time I don’t feel good is when I don’t get enough sleep. It’s not necessarily when I do so much work the next day. I think I train for moments like this.
“I know there’s more work to do. It’s very easy for me to get back focused and put too much focus on one match or too much on one thing. Everybody close to me knows that. They usually say I should give myself more props.”
Barring her quarterfinal win via the retirement of compatriot Marie Bouzkova every other match Muchova has played this week has gone to three sets.
She has played an extra match as Gauff enjoyed a first round by and Muchova has already clocked ten hours on court this week.
Muchova assessed her physical state: “Energy levels? It’s tough. It’s tough. I can feel it in my bones that I played all three-setters. Just yesterday I had a little time off. Obviously, my body feels it.”
Muchova will move into the top ten for the first time in her career and is guaranteed to reach a new career-high ranking whatever happens in her showdown with Gauff.
“I think I was even outside of 200 at the end of the last year, so it’s incredible,” Muchova said.
“I always was hoping and believing that I can be up there, but you never know. In the past, my health was a big issue. It always stopped me. I’m just really, really pleased how it’s going. To be in Top 10, I can say it for rest of my life that I was top 10 tennis player from all of the people. It’s great achievement.”
The women’s singles final at the Western & Southern Open is scheduled to get underway at 18:30 (BST).
