Coco Gauff continued her impressive run at the China Open in Beijing by overcoming a challenging clash against Belinda Bencic. Despite dropping the first set, Gauff rallied to secure a hard-fought victory with scores of 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2, advancing to the quarterfinals. This victory also ensures her place in the 2025 WTA Finals, marking her fourth consecutive qualification for the prestigious year-end tournament.
The match, which lasted two hours and 29 minutes, highlighted Gauff’s fighting spirit and determination. After an initial strong start where she led 4-1, Gauff found herself on the back foot as Bencic climbed back to take the first set. However, in a display of resilience, Gauff leveled the score by winning a crucial second-set tiebreak before dominantly sealing the final set.
Beijing has been kind to Gauff, as this match was her fourth win against Bencic in their six encounters, with three victories occurring in 2025 alone. Gauff expressed her delight, stating, “It was a tough match. I had chances in the first set to close it out, but overall, I’m happy with how I fought.”
Statistically, Gauff’s performance remains remarkable, especially in matches extending to three sets, where she boasts a 12-2 record this season. Known for her affinity for Beijing, fans have showered Gauff with gifts, and her success on the Chinese soil continues, second in WTA-level wins only to China’s Zheng Qinwen.
Gauff is notable for her milestone achievements despite her young age of 21. Since the China Open’s inception in 2004, she is the youngest player to achieve nine consecutive wins at the tournament. In addition, she is also the youngest to have participated in 14 matches, winning 13, and reaching three quarterfinals at the event.
Looking ahead, Gauff is set to face Eva Lys in the quarterfinals. A win against Lys would propel Gauff to her third consecutive China Open semifinal, further solidifying her position as one of the brightest talents in women’s tennis. Despite her young age, Gauff continues to display remarkable potential and resilience that promises an exciting future in the sport.