AMERICAN Coco Vandeweghe has upset the tournament favourite Shuai Peng, defeating her in a come-from-behind win to take home the 2020 Mexican Open title. The world number 198th won her third WTA Tour singles title with the victory and her first outside of ‘s-Hertongenbosch.

Coming into the match, Shuai was rated a 52 per cent chance of winning, and early days it looked as if the final would end up that way. The Chinese 34-year-old managed to claim the first set in 43 minutes despite still plenty of resistance from her opponent, winning it 6-2. She broke three times during the first set to be in control, with her work around the court impressive. Despite the result, Vandeweghe’s shot selection was building as the set went on, and there was a sense of the tide turning late.

That turned out to be accurate as the US Open doubles winner went to down in the second set, needing just 27 minutes to claim a brilliant second set, 6-1. Vandeweghe’s work off Shuai’s second serve was doing all the damage with an 80 per cent success rate and 10 winners in the set. The result levelled the match and the 28-year-old had the match back on her terms. Shuai was not going to give up without a fight though, and started to show that early in the third.

The Chinese talent broke early in the deciding set to go 3-1 up at one stage, but a crucial break in the sixth game got Vandeweghe back on track and then up to a lead of 4-3. In some tense moments over the last few games, both players had their fair share of break points, though both held in the next two for Shuai to serve to remain in the match. However a double fault at 15-30 proved deadly as Vandeweghe did not hold back from a forehand crosscourt winner of her opponents’ second serve to take out the set, match and title.

It was Vandeweghe’s first singles title since 2016, and one that shot her 60 players up the WTA Rankings into 138th in the world. The win also gave her confidence ahead of her next tournament in Miami where she has received a wildcard. Whilst her eighth final loss was disappointing for Shuai, she did receive a rankings boost from 103rd into the top 100 to sit at 89th overall.

MEXICAN OPEN FINAL RESULT:

Coco Vandeweghe (USA) defeated [3] Shuai Peng (CHN) 2-6 6-1 6-4