In a thrilling display of perseverance, the sixth-ranked American tennis sensation, Coco Gauff, fought back from a set down to secure a hard-fought victory over Ukrainian qualifier Yuliia Starodubtseva at the China Open. Gauff, known for her tenacity on the court, showcased her resilience as she battled to a 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 triumph, booking her spot in the semifinals.
The young prodigy will now face off against Paula Badosa of Spain in the next round, after Badosa ended local wild card Zhang Shuai’s unexpected run at the title. Despite a slow start, Gauff managed to turn the tide in her favor, showcasing her mental fortitude and determination.
Starodubtseva, ranked 115th in the world, proved to be a formidable opponent, having not dropped a set in her previous matches leading up to the showdown with Gauff. The Ukrainian player came out firing, hitting 10 winners in the opening set and keeping Gauff on the back foot with relentless pressure.
This wasn’t the first time Gauff found herself in a tough spot in the tournament, as she also lost the first set against Naomi Osaka in the previous round before Osaka retired due to a lower back injury. Despite the competitive nature of their matches, Gauff demonstrated great sportsmanship by helping Osaka off the court with her bags.
Facing a resilient opponent in Starodubtseva, Gauff knew she needed to dig deep and find a response. The American star saved two break points in the opening game of the second set and managed to secure a crucial service break to take a 3-1 lead. With her fighting spirit on full display, Gauff navigated her way through the match and ultimately emerged victorious, earning herself a well-deserved spot in the semifinals of the China Open.