To advance to the China Open quarterfinals on Thursday, sixth-ranked Coco Gauff had to overcome Ukrainian qualifier Yuliia Starodubtseva 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 after a sluggish start once more. Next up for Coco Gauff is Spanish player Paula Badosa, who previously put an end to local wild card Zhang Shuai’s surprising championship run.
After three sets this week, the No. 115-ranked Starodubtseva had not dropped a set. She jumped out to an early lead, winning ten of them and limiting the American to zero in a first set marred by mistakes.
Before Osaka quit due to a lower back injury in the previous round, Gauff also lost the opening set against her. Gauff assisted in removing Osaka’s baggage from the court. Also read: Billie Jean King: first female athlete to be awarded Congressional Gold Medal
In her opening service game in the second set, former US Open champion Gauff struggled to find a way to respond to Starodubtseva, saving two break points.
Gauff led 3-1 after a service interruption. Gauff lost just three games the remainder of the match after making another close escape in her subsequent service game.
The Spaniard has advanced to the semifinals of three of the last five competitions and won 28 of the last 35 games since May. Last month, there was also a run to the quarterfinals of the US Open.
The highlight of the week, however, has been Zhang, 35, who came into the China Open ranked No. 595 and riding a 24-match losing run, the second longest in the Open era. She didn’t drop a set in four matches this week. Also read: Davis Cup Final: Italy to face Argentina
However, Badosa’s quick start proved too much for the Chinese wild card, as the Spaniard took three service breaks to win the opening set with ease. In the second match, Badosa lost 3-1, but it was much closer. In the tiebreak, she overcame Zhang after rallying.