American tennis is enjoying a significant resurgence at the WTA 1000 China Open, where two players have advanced to the semi-finals. Coco Gauff and Amanda Anisimova each secured their spots with impressive victories over their opponents, Eva Lys and Jasmine Paolini, respectively.
Coco Gauff, the defending champion and seeded second, reached the semi-finals for the third consecutive year after defeating Germany’s Eva Lys with a score of 6-3, 6-4. Gauff’s performance showcased her strong all-around game, despite facing challenges on her serve, where she faced seven break-point opportunities, allowing Lys to convert three. Nevertheless, Gauff capitalized on her own chances, breaking Lys five times.
Gauff expressed satisfaction with her play, emphasizing the importance of maintaining confidence, especially when she took the lead. “I think staying confident in my game was important. I played well overall,” she reflected post-match.
The match, lasting one hour and 28 minutes, was characterized by powerful rallies, with Gauff demonstrating both resilience and creativity. The first point set an aggressive tone, featuring a lengthy exchange that ended with a dazzling lob from Gauff. Although strained at times, Gauff’s ability to navigate the relentless pace of Lys’s shots helped her control the match and sustain her lead throughout.
In a remarkable feat, Gauff has now made it to at least the quarter-finals in each of her three appearances at the China Open, a milestone last achieved by Jelena Jankovic over a decade ago. As the highest-ranked player left in the tournament, Gauff is now in pursuit of her eleventh career title.
Amanda Anisimova, the tournament’s third seed, had an arduous journey to the semi-finals, battling for nearly three hours against Jasmine Paolini. The match was a nail-biter, culminating in a 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-4 victory for Anisimova. After a tough first set where she faltered towards the end, Anisimova rallied in the second, demonstrating solid resolve to level the match.
Reflecting on her win, Anisimova acknowledged the challenge posed by Paolini, stating, “She’s a difficult opponent to face. Today had everything.” The match saw both players exchanging holds in the early sets, with Anisimova finally breaking through to secure the win in the deciding set.
This victory not only catapults Anisimova into the semi-finals but also guarantees her spot in the WTA Finals in Riyadh, a goal she set for herself at the beginning of the season. “I’m super excited. I really love playing in Beijing, so I’m looking forward to the semi-final,” she added.
Anisimova will next face Gauff in an all-American clash. The two players have had a close rivalry, with each winning against the other in their past meetings. Both are eager for a chance to take this rivalry further amidst high stakes.
As the tournament progresses, the focus will also shift to the other side of the draw, where Great Britain’s Sonay Kartal is set to face Linda Noskova, while Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro prepare for their upcoming match. The excitement in Beijing is palpable as the competition intensifies.
