Gauff gains from experience of winning in China

Coco Gauff is hoping to build on experience, after brushing aside Russia’s Kamilla Rakhimova 6-4, 6-0 on Sept 26 to secure a spot in the last 32 as she bids for a repeat China Open crown.

- 

The world No. 3 from the United States will next face Canada’s Leylah Fernandez, who triumphed decidedly over Greece’s Maria Sakkari 6-2, 6-0 in Beijing.

“I think the mindset is a little bit different just because when you play well at a place, you have a lot of confidence,” Gauff said.

“When those tough moments happen, you feel the familiarity of the conditions from the years before that.”

In her first appearance since the US Open, Gauff powered through a drawn-out second game to save four break points and level for 1-1 with a cross-court winner.

It was the 21-year-old Gauff who broke first, landing the ball right on the line for a 4-3 lead. She won the next game and although Rakhimova held her off for one more, it was the defending champion who triumphed.