Gauff launches title defence in fine style

Coco Gauff brushed aside Russia's Kamilla Rakhimova 6-4, 6-0 yesterday to secure a spot in the last 32 as she bids for a repeat China Open crown.

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The world No.3 from the United States will next face Canada's Leylah Fernandez, who triumphed 6-2, 6-0 over Greece's Maria Sakkari 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 after the match.

"When those tough moments happen, you feel the familiarity of the conditions from the years before that," she said.