Ahead of their final, Coco Gauff and Karolina Muchova have contrasting assessment about their physical form.
The rising American feel fresh and asserts that she is in great shape before the championship match and bids to become first teenager and fourth American to the Western and Southern Open. The 19-year old has spent 6 hours and 24 minutes on court in Cincinnati and only played her only 3-setter in the tourney against Iga Swiatek.
Following her 3-hour battle with the Pole, Gauff was fresh and firm, fired up by the victory over WTA world No. 1.
“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.”
Apart from her quarterfinal win which was helped by the retirement of countrywoman Marie Bouzkova, every Match of Muchova went the distance. Despite getting a R1 bye, the 26-year-old Czech has already racked up 10 hours on court this week.
Speaking about her physical condition, Mucova said: “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.”
She will crack the top 10 for the first time in her career and is guaranteed to secure the career-high seeding regardless of the outcome of her final 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.”