Coco Gauff Reaches China Open Final After Tough Win Over Paula Badosa

Coco Gauff achieved a comeback victory to secure a spot in the China Open final, overcoming Paula Badosa in a challenging semi-final match. Gauff, the fourth seed, rallied after dropping the first set and faced a break down in the second to triumph 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 against the Spaniard, who is ranked 19th globally. This is prepared by SSP.

Initially, Badosa appeared to have firm control, serving at 4-3 in the second set, but she was unable to maintain her momentum. Gauff's shift to a more aggressive play style proved pivotal, allowing her to topple Badosa during a sequence of assertive games. By snatching four consecutive games, Gauff forced a decisive third set and eventually concluded the match in two hours and 21 minutes.

Throughout the seesaw battle, Badosa resisted Gauff's advances by saving numerous break points, notably enduring a prolonged 26-point contest that the American eventually secured. Despite Badosa's strong start in the second set with a lead generated by a forehand passing shot, Gauff refused to retreat, breaking back at the first opportunity and holding her ground by serving powerful aces and taking advantage as Badosa stumbled through unforced errors.

Gauff's effort to restore equilibrium to their head-to-head record to 3-3 this season underscores her determination. The American now strives for her second WTA 1000 title following her victory in Cincinnati in 2023. Her final opponent will be either fifth-seeded home favorite Qinwen Zheng or Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic.