Coco Gauff defeated Paula Badosa 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 on Saturday to make it to the China Open final after coming back from a set down for the third straight match. Seeking her second WTA-1000 level victory, the sixth-ranked Gauff will play either Olympic gold medallist Zheng Qinwen or Czech Karolina Muchova in Sunday’s final. Gauff’s record in tour finals is 7-1.
This week in Beijing, the 20-year-old American has a history of getting off to a poor start. This time, the script was followed as the No. 19-ranked Badosa won a close opening set in 59 minutes by saving 10 of 11 break points.
The 2023 US Open winner then turned the tide by saving four break points and rallying to square the match at 4-4 after the Spaniard had taken a 3-1 lead in the second set. In order to force a decisive set, Gauff broke Badosa once again after holding for 5–4. Also read: Jannik Sinner ‘very confident’ in positive outcome after WADA appeals his doping case
In her on-court interview, Gauff stated, “I felt like I was playing the right way the whole time, just a couple of unforced errors, she was playing well too.” Gaining momentum, Gauff proceeded to break Badosa three more times, each time resulting in a loss for her own, ultimately winning the match in two hours and twenty minutes.
“I’ve had tough opponents the whole tournament,” Gauff stated. Gauff fell behind No. 115-ranked Yuliia Starodubtseva in the quarterfinals, but she came back to win in three games. Also read: Coco Gauff Rallies Against Yuliia to Reach Semifinal