Gauff closes in on title double in Beijing

Coco Gauff moved to within two wins of a China Open title double on Thursday as the top seed held off Eva Lys 6-3, 6-4 to reach the semi-finals on Thursday.

The defending champion will play next against US Open runner-up Amanda Anisimova, who defeated Jasmine Paolini 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-4.

Gauff is aiming to become the first woman to win back-to-back titles at the WTA 1000 in Beijing. She last played Anisimova in 2022, taking a Wimbledon loss

“I’m happy with how I played today. She’s a tough opponent, she hit a couple of great shots on the run,” Gauff said of Germany’s 66th-ranked Lys.

“I need to stay confident in my game and not be too passive when I have the lead. I played one passive point in this match, but otherwise I played well.”

Gauff emerged after five straight breaks of serve to claim the opening set and came through in 88 minutes as she served out the semi-final victory.

The American second seed will be competing in her fourth semi of the season and has already qualified for the year-end championships in Saudi where she is defending that title..

Gauff improved to 14-1 career record in Beijing and is hoping to defend a title for the second time in her career after Auckland 2023-2024).

“I was trying my best to stay aggressive. Just staying confident in my game and not being too passive when I have the lead,” Gauff said in victory.