By Alberto Amalfi| @Tennis_Now | Friday, September 27, 2024
Coco Gauff matched a historic mark in her Beijing opener.
Photo credit: Robert Prange/Getty
Coco Gauff matched a historic mark in her Beijing return.
Gauff broke five times fighting off Frenchwoman Clara Burel 7-5, 6-3 at the China Open.
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The 20-year-old Gauff scored her 46th career WTA 1000 win, matching Caroline Wozniacki's mark for most WTA 1000 wins before turning 21 years old.
A scrappy Gauff had to save a set point in the 10th game to get through the opening set today.
The fourth-seeded Gauff advanced to the third round against 26th-seeded Briton Katie Boulter. Boulter beat American Taylor Townsend 6-4, 6-4.
In her first match since parting with coach Brad Gilbert, Gauff converted five of 17 break points.
Burel served for the first set at 5-4 and held a set point, but Gauff broke back then confirmed the break at 30 to snatch a 6-5 lead.
On her fourth set point, Gauff broke to cap a comeback and take the set.
Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka rallied past Yulia Putintseva 3-6, 6-4, 6-2.
Four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka, playing her first tournament with coach Patrick Mouratoglou in her box, saved six of 10 break points in a one hour, 46-minute triumph.
Osaka will take on American Katie Volynets in round three.
Volynets surprised No. 14-seeded Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk 7-5, 6-3.
US Open finalist Jessica Pegula defeated Diane Parry 6-1, 7-6(4).
It was Pegula’s 16th victory in her last 18 matches and sends the second seed into a third-round meeting vs. No. 32-seeded Veronika Kudermetova.
Playing for her third title of the season, Pegula improved to 35-12 in 2024.