Coco Gauff powers through to quarter-finals at China Open

US Open champion Coco Gauff shook off an indifferent first-set performance to glide into the women’s quarter-finals of the China Open with victory over Russia’s Veronika Kudermetova in Beijing on Thursday.

ALSO READ: Serena Williams reacts to Coco Gauff winning US Open at 19

The world number three triumphed 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 to set up a quarter-final tie with either Greece’s Maria Sakkari or homegrown talent Wang Xinyu.

COCO GAUFF

CocoGauff roared into a 3-0 lead in the first set but was pegged back by an aggressive Kudermetova and had to save four set points to stay in it.

But she forced a ti

ALSO READ: Aryna Sabalenka reflects on her US Open final loss to Coco Gauff

Set two was a much more comfortable affair for Coco Gauff with the 19-year-old quickly notching a double-break and wrapping up the win when Kudermetova shovelled a forehand long.

Sakkari and Wang go head-to-head later Thursday, as does world number one Aryna Sabalenka who faces Jasmine Paolini of Italy.

ALSO READ: Coco Gauff’s stunning comeback secures first Grand slam title

Earlier, world number 10 Caroline Garcia progressed to the quarter-finals with a 6-3, 6-2 defeat of Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina.

GARCIA

Garcia will play second-ranked Iga Swiatek in the next round after the Pole swatted aside compatriot Magda Linette on Wednesday.

The China Open is taking place for the first time since 2019 after Beijing did away with its long-standing zero-Covid policy.

ALSO READ: US Open: Coco Gauff wins first Grand Slam title at age 19

The men’s draw culminated on Wednesday when Italy’s Jannik Sinner downed world number three Daniil Medvedev to take the trophy.

© Agence France-Presse