China Open: Former US Open Champ Coco Gauff Stages Comeback to Reach Final

Coco Gauff made a remarkable comeback to defeat Spain’s Paula Badosa in the semifinals of the China Open, setting the stage for her appearance in the final on Saturday. After losing the first set, Gauff rallied to win 4-6, 6-4, 6-2. She is now set to face either Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen from China or Karolina Muchova, who earlier defeated Aryna Sabalenka, in Sunday’s championship match in Beijing.

The 20-year-old American, who triumphed at last year’s US Open but has faced challenges lately, is on the hunt for her second trophy of the year and the eighth of her career. Gauff parted ways with coach Brad Gilbert following a disappointing run at this year’s US Open, where she exited in the last 16 amidst numerous double faults.

Despite committing 11 double faults and struggling to capitalize on break points—converting just six out of 20—Gauff managed to overcome Badosa in a match that lasted two hours and 20 minutes. She described the match as mentally challenging but focused on maintaining her composure and resetting her mindset.

Badosa, formerly ranked second in the world and currently 19th, initially took the lead by breaking Gauff in the first set and maintaining it for a 4-2 advantage. A critical eighth game saw Gauff finally break back on her eighth attempt, a moment she celebrated enthusiastically. However, Badosa quickly regained her lead and clinched the set by capitalizing on an overhit forehand by Gauff.

In the second set, Badosa broke early, causing Gauff to momentarily lose her composure. However, Gauff regained her focus and managed to break Badosa twice to win the set, visibly unsettling Badosa in the process.

This was Badosa’s first set loss in the tournament, and Gauff capitalized on her momentum, breaking Badosa three times in the final set to seal her victory. So far this year, Gauff’s only other title was secured in Auckland in January.