By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Thursday, October 3, 2024
Coco Gauff rallied past qualifier Yuliia Starodubtseva 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 advancing to her second straight Beijing semifinal.
Photo credit: Fred Lee/Getty
Arriving in Beijing, Coco Gauff carried a clear mission statement: Sharpen her serve.
Today, Gauff geared up her serve as the match progressed to return to the China Open semifinals.
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The fourth-seeded Gauff rallied past qualifier Yuliia Starodubtseva 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 advancing to her second straight Beijing semifinal.
A slow-starting Gauff spit up seven double faults and did not hit a winner in a sloppy opening set.
Dialing in her serve, Gauff won 26 of 29 points played on her first serve over the final two sets in a one hour, 51-minute victory. Gauff raised her 2024 record 45-15.
“The first set was a tough set, I think, serving-wise,” Gauff said. “I just focused on what I can control. She came out playing some great tennis. I was able to raise my level.”
The 2023 US Open champion Gauff will face Paula Badosa for a spot in the Beijing final.
Earlier, Badosa beat Zhang Shuai 6-1, 7-6(4).
US Open quarterfinalist Badosa belted 10 aces and faced just two break points in a one hour, 23-minute victory.
The 19th-ranked Badosa has won three of five meetings vs. Gauff though the 20-year-old American won their most recent meeting, 5-7, 6-4, 6-1 in Rome last May.
“Last time I played her was I think Rome this year,” Gauff said. “She’s obviously a tough opponent. That match was a long match so I expect it to be a tough match. Paula is a great player on and off the court.”
Picking on the Gauff wayward forehand, Starodubtseva dominated the opening set.
Coming off three Top-50 wins, Starodubtseva frustrated Gauff with her ball-control skills as she charged out to a 4-1 lead in the first set.
The Ukrainian qualifier cracked 10 winners in the opening set, exploiting 17 unforced errors from Gauff, including seven double faults, as she snatched a one-set lead after 40 minutes.
Gauff denied a couple of break points holding for a 1-0 second-set lead.
Unleashing a return right down the middle, Gauff drew an errant forehand breaking for a 3-1 second-set lead.
Managing her drives with more precision, Gauff broke again to snatch the 38-minute second set and force a decider. Gauff hit seven winners to five for Starodubtseva in the second set.
The 2023 semifinalist Gauff was playing with more aggression and command as the third set unfolded.
Gauff rolled through 10 of 11 points building a 3-0 third-set lead.
The Delray Beach-born baseliner Gauff won 12 of her final 14 points on serve closing a one hour, 51-minute victory.