Tennis

Coco Gauff and Karolina Muchova, two rising stars in women's tennis, will face off in the China Open final on Sunday, a rematch of their thrilling encounter in Cincinnati last summer.Gauff, the 18-year-old American, has had a rollercoaster ride in Beijing, coming from a set down three times to reach the final. Despite her struggles, she has shown remarkable resilience and determination, saving four break points against Paula Badosa in the semifinals to keep her hopes alive.Muchova, the 26-year-old Czech, has also had a challenging year, missing the first six months due to a wrist injury. However, she has looked in impressive form in Beijing, edging top seed Aryna Sabalenka in the quarterfinals and home favorite Zheng Qinwen in the semifinals.On paper, Muchova appears to have the edge over Gauff. She is a more complete player with a wider range of shots and a more consistent serve. Gauff, on the other hand, has struggled with her serve and forehand at times this week.However, Gauff has proven that she is a fierce competitor, never giving up even when facing adversity. She has also benefited from the positive influence of her new coach, Matt Daly, who has helped her stay focused and upbeat.The key to the match will likely be Gauff's ability to neutralize Muchova's strengths. If she can keep Muchova off balance with her powerful groundstrokes and force her to make errors, she has a chance to pull off another upset.Muchova, on the other hand, will need to maintain her consistency and avoid giving Gauff any easy points. She will also need to be patient and wait for her opportunities to attack.Ultimately, the winner of the China Open final will be the player who can execute their game plan better and handle the pressure of the big stage. Both Gauff and Muchova have shown that they have the talent and determination to win, so it promises to be a thrilling encounter.

Coco Gauff's resilience and assertive play propelled her to a hard-fought 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Paula Badosa in the semifinals of the China Open on Saturday.The opening set was a tale of missed opportunities for Gauff, who squandered 10 break points before finally breaking Badosa's serve in the marathon eighth game. However, Badosa immediately broke back and sealed the set with a forehand miscue from Gauff.In the second set, Badosa broke early but Gauff fought back valiantly, saving four break points and holding for 2-3. A crucial break at 4-3 gave Gauff the momentum, and she held her serve to level the match.The third set was all Gauff's as she went on an 18-for-20-point run, breaking Badosa twice and forcing unforced errors from her opponent. Badosa briefly regained her composure but handed the re-break back with a botched forehand. Gauff served out the match with an ace, securing her first final appearance since winning the Auckland title in January.Gauff's victory leveled her head-to-head record with Badosa to 3-3 and marked her second win over the Spaniard this season. She now awaits the winner of the other semifinal between Zheng Qinwen and Karolina Muchova in the final.

Sixth-ranked Coco Gauff overcame a sluggish start to defeat Ukrainian qualifier Yuliia Starodubtseva 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 in the quarterfinals of the China Open on Thursday. Gauff will face Paula Badosa of Spain in the semifinals, who earlier ended local wild card Zhang Shuai's impressive run at the title.Starodubtseva, ranked 115th in the world, had not lost a set in her three matches this week and quickly took the lead against Gauff. The American struggled in the first set, making numerous errors and failing to hold serve. However, Gauff showed her resilience by saving two break points in her opening service game of the second set and breaking Starodubtseva's serve to take a 3-1 lead.Gauff continued to dominate the second and third sets, losing only three more games. She displayed her powerful serve and aggressive groundstrokes, forcing Starodubtseva into errors. The American's victory marks her second consecutive comeback win after she rallied from a set down against Naomi Osaka in the previous round.Meanwhile, Badosa continued her impressive form by defeating Zhang Shuai 6-1, 7-6 (4) in the other quarterfinal. The Spaniard has won 28 of her last 35 matches and has reached the semifinals of three of her past five tournaments.Zhang, who entered the tournament on a 24-match losing streak, had been the surprise of the week. She had not dropped a set in her four matches, but she was unable to match Badosa's power and consistency. The Spaniard broke Zhang's serve three times in the opening set and rallied from a 3-1 deficit in the second set to win the tiebreak.

Coco Gauff's resilience shone through at the 2024 China Open as she overcame an ailing Naomi Osaka in a hard-fought second-round encounter. The match took a dramatic turn when Osaka, who had taken the first set, was forced to retire due to illness with the score tied at 3-6, 6-4.Gauff, who recently parted ways with coach Brad Gilbert, has been working with Matt Daly and Jean-Christophe Faurel. Despite initial struggles with her forehand and serve, she displayed improved form in Beijing, defeating Clara Burel and Katie Boulter to set up the clash with Osaka.Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, returned to action after a year-long maternity leave with renewed determination. However, her comeback has been marked by inconsistent performances, including a second-round exit at the US Open. She made a coaching change, bringing in Patrick Mouratoglou, but the partnership has yet to yield significant results.In the match against Gauff, Osaka started strongly, taking the first set with relative ease. However, she began to show signs of illness during the second set, taking a medical timeout. Despite her discomfort, she managed to break Gauff's serve and take a 3-1 lead.Gauff fought back, breaking Osaka's serve in the second game of the second set. However, she failed to capitalize on several break point opportunities, allowing Osaka to level the set at 2-2. Osaka then broke Gauff's serve again, putting herself in a commanding position.Undeterred, Gauff raised her level of play, winning four consecutive games to force a decider. However, Osaka's physical condition deteriorated, and she was unable to continue. Gauff expressed sympathy for her opponent, saying, "I wish Naomi a speedy recovery. Nobody wants to win a match like this, especially at one set all."Gauff will now face Ukrainian qualifier Yuliia Starodubtseva in the quarterfinals. Starodubtseva has enjoyed a breakthrough week in Beijing, defeating No. 10 seed Anna Kalinskaya in straight sets to reach her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal.

Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka, two of the most promising stars in women's tennis, will face off for the first time since 2022 at the China Open in Beijing on Tuesday. The highly anticipated clash marks a significant milestone in their careers, as both players have undergone major transformations since their last encounter.Gauff, now a Grand Slam champion herself, has established herself as a force to be reckoned with. Her victory at the 2023 French Open propelled her into the elite ranks of tennis, and she has continued to impress with her consistent performances throughout the season. Osaka, on the other hand, has returned to the WTA Tour after a 15-month hiatus due to mental health concerns. The four-time major winner is eager to regain her former dominance and prove that she is still a formidable opponent.This match-up is particularly intriguing given the contrasting trajectories of the two players. Gauff has been on a steady upward trajectory, while Osaka has faced challenges in recent years. However, Osaka's recent performances in Beijing suggest that she is regaining her form. She has won three matches this week, tying her best performance at a single tournament in 2024.The China Open has been a happy hunting ground for Osaka in the past. She won the WTA 1000 event in 2019 and will be looking to replicate that success this year. A victory over Gauff would not only boost her confidence but also push her back into the Top 50 of the WTA rankings.Gauff, for her part, will be determined to prove that she is not just a one-hit wonder. She reached the semifinals of the China Open last year and will be aiming to go even further this time around. However, she will need to be at her best to overcome Osaka, who has a 2-2 head-to-head record against her.Both players have made significant changes to their teams since their last meeting. Osaka has parted ways with coach Wim Fissette and is now working with Patrick Mouratoglou, the former coach of Serena Williams. Gauff has added Matt Daly to her coaching staff, who will work alongside Jean-Christophe Faurel.The clash between Gauff and Osaka is not just a battle between two talented players but also a clash of styles. Gauff is known for her aggressive baseline play, while Osaka is a more versatile player who can adapt to different surfaces and opponents. It promises to be a fascinating encounter that could have a significant impact on the remainder of the season.

Aryna Sabalenka's remarkable hard-court dominance continues unabated as she extended her winning streak to 14 matches with a comprehensive 6-2, 6-2 victory over Ashlyn Krueger at the China Open. The Belarusian powerhouse, who has already claimed the Australian Open, Cincinnati Open, and U.S. Open titles this year, displayed her unwavering form in Beijing.Sabalenka's relentless aggression and pinpoint accuracy proved too much for Krueger, as she converted five of her seven breakpoint opportunities. The second-ranked player will now face Madison Keys, aiming to match her career-best 15 consecutive victories achieved in 2020-21."I'm not playing my best tennis right now," Sabalenka admitted. "But I'm controlling my emotions and holding myself together, which helps me stay in matches and keep fighting."Keys, meanwhile, secured a 6-3, 6-3 win over Beatrice Haddad Maia of Brazil. Haddad Maia, fresh from her Korea Open triumph, struggled to match Keys' baseline power.Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka continued her resurgence under new coach Patrick Mouratoglou with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Katie Volynets. Osaka will now face sixth-ranked Coco Gauff in the round of 16, their first meeting in over two years."It's going to be a great test for me," Osaka said. "She's played well this year. I'm excited to play the match."Osaka, who returned from maternity leave earlier this season, has shown signs of improvement under Mouratoglou's guidance. Her run in Beijing marks the first time she has recorded three consecutive wins since May.Fifth-ranked Jasmine Paolini suffered a disappointing 6-4, 6-0 defeat to No. 45-ranked Magda Linette of Poland.

Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula have advanced to the fourth round of the China Open, marking their first appearances in this stage of the tournament. Pegula, the second seed, overcame Veronika Kudermetova in a thrilling three-set battle, while Gauff, the fourth seed, defeated Katie Boulter in straight sets.Pegula's victory was particularly significant as it was her first against Kudermetova in three career meetings. Despite losing the first set in a tiebreak, Pegula rallied to win the next two sets convincingly, breaking Kudermetova's serve twice in each set.Gauff, on the other hand, faced a more straightforward challenge against Boulter. After losing the first two games, Gauff regained her composure and won eight of the last 10 games to secure the victory.Other notable results from the China Open include Paula Badosa's victory over Rebecca Sramkova, Zhang Shuai's win against Greet Minnen, and Yuliia Starodubtseva's impressive run to the fourth round in her WTA 1000 main-draw debut.In the men's event, Carlos Alcaraz notched his 200th career victory with a dominant performance against Tallon Griekspoor. Karen Khachanov also advanced, while wild card Bu Yunchaokete upset Lorenzo Musetti.

Coco Gauff, the 20-year-old American tennis sensation, has made a significant change to her coaching team ahead of the China Open. Matt Daly, a former coach of ATP former No. 10 Denis Shapovalov, has joined Jean-Christophe "JC" Faurel as Gauff's new coach.Gauff's decision to part ways with Brad Gilbert, who had been her coach for 14 months, stems from her desire to "reset" and "refresh" her game. She believes that Daly and Faurel can help her address areas that need improvement, particularly her serve.Under Gilbert's guidance, Gauff enjoyed a breakout summer in 2023, winning titles in Washington, D.C. and Cincinnati before capturing her first Grand Slam title at the US Open. However, her form dipped in 2024, with early exits from Wimbledon, the Summer Olympic Games, and the US Open.Gauff's serving woes were particularly evident at the US Open, where she struck 11 double faults in the third set of her fourth-round loss to Emma Navarro. She acknowledges that improving her serve is a top priority with her new coaches."When I serve well, I play pretty well," Gauff said. "For me, that's the basis for my game."Daly, a 45-year-old college tennis alum from Notre Dame University, brings a wealth of experience to Gauff's team. He previously coached Shapovalov to a career-high ranking of No. 10 in the world.Gauff is the No. 4 seed in Beijing and will play her first match against France's Clara Burel after receiving a first-round bye. She is determined to make a strong showing in China and use the tournament as a springboard for a successful 2025 season.

Coco Gauff, the teenage tennis sensation who burst onto the scene in 2019, is facing a pivotal moment in her career. After a breakthrough summer in 2023, where she won three Hologic WTA Tour singles titles, Gauff has struggled to maintain her momentum. She was eliminated in the round of 16 at both Wimbledon and the US Open in 2024, both times by fellow American Emma Navarro.Gauff's recent setbacks have raised questions about her long-term development. How can a player who has achieved so much at such a young age continue to improve and compete at the highest level?One area of concern is Gauff's technical game. In her US Open defeat to Navarro, she served 19 double-faults, a glaring weakness that has been discussed extensively by tennis analysts. Her forehand, once considered a potential weapon, has also come under scrutiny.Beyond technical issues, Gauff has also faced challenges with her coaching team. She recently parted ways with Brad Gilbert, the coach who guided her to a Slam-winning season in 2023. This highlights the ongoing debate in tennis about the effectiveness of mid-match coaching.Despite these challenges, Gauff remains a fierce competitor with an unwavering desire to succeed. Her motivation is evident in her practice sessions, interviews, and matches. The question now is how she will channel that motivation to improve her game and regain her winning ways.Gauff's off-season will be crucial in determining her future trajectory. She will need to address her technical weaknesses, refine her tactics, and find a coaching team that can help her reach her full potential.