Coco Gauff wins 16th straight match to set up semi-final vs Iga Swiatek in China; world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka out
Coco Gauff extended her winning streak on the WTA Tour to 16 matches as she set up a semi-final clash with Iga Swiatek at the China Open, while world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka was bowled out by Elena Rybakina.
US Open champion Gauff defeated Maria Sakkari 6-2 6-4 in Beijing as she continued her quest for a fifth title of 2023, with the American winning in Auckland in January and then claiming three titles in the United States this summer, including her first title. Grand Slam victory at Flushing Meadows.
The 19-year-old has won 22 of 23 matches since her first-round exit to Sofia Kenin at Wimbledon in July, with her only defeat in that time coming to Jessica Pegula in Montreal in August.
Her current winning streak is the longest of any player on the WTA Tour this season – Swiatek is the next best with 14 – and the longest by a teenager since Bianca Andreescu won 17 in a row in 2019.
A rematch of the US Open final, in which Gauff defeated Sabalenka 2-6 6-3 6-2, could have taken place in Beijing on Sunday, but Rybakina completed a 7-5 6-2 victory over the world champion. 1 in the fourth quarterfinal.
World No. 5 Rybakina will next face unseeded Russian Liudmila Samsonova, who upset Jelena Ostapenko 6-3 6-2.
Swiatek: I used my intuition during an intense victory
While Gauff cruised to victory over Sakkari, Swiatek had to work for her win over France’s Caroline Garcia, coming through 6-7 (8-10) 7-6 (7-5) 6-1.
Swiatek was two points away from defeat after losing the first set and being 5-5 in the second set tiebreak, but rallied to level the match and then cruised through the decider.
The Polish player said: “It was definitely very intense. We played very fast. There was sometimes no time to think or analyze. I’m glad I used my intuition a lot.”
“Every ball counted in both first sets. I’m happy that I could just go for it in the third.”
Swiatek won her first seven matches against Gauff without dropping a set, but the American turned the tables in the semifinals of the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati in August before winning her first Grand Slam title.
“Anyone who plays her, no matter the style of play, you have to be ready to run and just be ready for anything,” Gauff said.
“She’s in the position she’s in for a reason. She’s one of the best players in the world for a reason. I’m just going to go there and hope to get a similar result to Cincinnati. If not, I’m really intend to do so.” I am proud of the way I have reached the semi-finals so far.”
Gauff said of facing Swiatek: “Anyone who plays her, no matter the style of play, you have to be ready to run and just be ready for anything.
“She’s in the position she’s in for a reason. She’s one of the best players in the world for a reason, and I’m just going to go out there and hopefully get a similar result to Cincinnati.
“If not, I’m very proud of the way I’ve done so far to reach the semi-finals.”
Stream all your favorite sports and more with NOW for £21 per month for six months