BEIJING — Welcome to my other blog today we discussed “Coco Gauff Rallies to Overcome Starodubtseva in China Open Semifinal.”The sixth-ranked Coco Gauff displayed her resilience yet again, battling from behind to secure a hard-fought victory against Ukrainian qualifier Yuliia Starodubtseva. Gauff, after losing the first set, mounted an impressive comeback to win 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 on Thursday, advancing to the semifinals of the China Open.
The American star, who has consistently been a force on the WTA Tour, faced a tough challenge from Starodubtseva, who had enjoyed a dream run in the tournament until their encounter. The Ukrainian qualifier, ranked No. 115 in the world, entered the match without dropping a set in her three prior matches. However, Gauff, known for her fighting spirit, found a way to turn the tide and secure her spot in the next round.
Starodubtseva’s Strong Start
Starodubtseva came out firing, taking control of the first set. Her aggressive play saw her hit 10 winners, while Gauff struggled with unforced errors, failing to register a single winner in the opening set. The Ukrainian’s form had been impeccable throughout the week, and she quickly asserted her dominance in the early stages of the quarterfinal. Gauff, meanwhile, appeared unsettled, unable to find her rhythm as Starodubtseva capitalized on every opportunity.
This wasn’t the first time Gauff had been pushed to the brink in the tournament. In her previous round, she had lost the opening set to Naomi Osaka before Osaka retired due to a lower back injury. In a gracious show of sportsmanship, Gauff assisted Osaka off the court by carrying her bags. However, that match left Gauff with little opportunity to fine-tune her game for the challenges ahead.
Gauff’s Comeback
Facing an opponent in red-hot form, Gauff needed to dig deep to turn the match around. The former U.S. Open champion knew that a second consecutive slow start could spell the end of her China Open campaign, and she came out fighting in the second set.
The turning point came early in the set when Gauff, trailing slightly, saved two critical break points in her opening service game. This resilience seemed to ignite the fire within the 19-year-old, and a service break allowed her to establish a 3-1 lead. From there, Gauff began to tighten up her game, committing fewer errors and forcing her opponent to work much harder for every point.
The pressure began to tell on Starodubtseva, whose early momentum waned as Gauff upped her level of play. Gauff navigated through another tight service game, avoiding potential danger, and proceeded to dominate the rest of the match. The American went on to lose only three more games in the final two sets, ultimately sealing the win and booking her place in the semifinals.
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Badosa Ends Zhang Shuai’s Run
In the other quarterfinal, Paula Badosa of Spain secured her place in the semifinals after a commanding 6-1, 7-6 (4) win over Chinese wild card Zhang Shuai. Badosa, who has been on an impressive run of form herself, has now reached the semifinals in three of her last five tournaments. Her victory over Zhang added another chapter to her growing resurgence.
Badosa’s recent performances have been remarkable, with the Spaniard winning 28 of her last 35 matches since May. Last month, she also reached the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open, a tournament that highlighted her potential to compete at the highest level.
However, Zhang Shuai’s story at the China Open captured the attention of many. The 35-year-old entered the tournament on a 24-match losing streak, the second-longest losing streak in the Open Era. Ranked No. 595 in the world, Zhang’s remarkable turnaround in Beijing saw her win four consecutive matches without dropping a set. For Zhang, the China Open marked a week of resurgence as she finally managed to shake off a prolonged period of disappointing results.
Despite her dream run, Zhang was unable to overcome Badosa’s aggressive style. The Spaniard raced out of the blocks, breaking Zhang’s serve three times in the first set to win it comfortably. Although the second set proved more competitive, with Zhang fighting back to take a 3-1 lead, Badosa demonstrated her composure under pressure. She rallied from behind to force a tiebreak, eventually winning the second set and the match.
Gauff vs. Badosa: A Semifinal Showdown
With her victory over Starodubtseva, Gauff now sets up a semifinal clash against Badosa. Both players have shown impressive form throughout the tournament, and their matchup promises to be an intriguing battle between two rising stars on the WTA Tour.
Gauff, who is known for her powerful groundstrokes and ability to fight through adversity, will be keen to avoid another slow start in the semifinals. On the other hand, Badosa has proven herself as a force to be reckoned with, boasting a balanced game with both defensive and offensive skills.
The semifinal will likely come down to who can maintain their composure in crucial moments. Gauff’s ability to withstand pressure and Badosa’s recent resurgence make this one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament.
Final Thoughts
Coco Gauff’s ability to recover from early setbacks continues to be one of her most admirable traits. Her victory over Yuliia Starodubtseva once again highlights her tenacity and fighting spirit. As she moves forward to face Paula Badosa in the China Open semifinals, Gauff will look to carry her momentum and improve on her previous performances. With both players in fine form, the semifinals promise to deliver an exciting contest filled with high-quality tennis.
