BEIJING: In a spectacular display of tennis prowess, world number two Iga Swiatek powered her way into the China Open women’s final, leaving no room for doubt in her victory over Coco Gauff. The match, which took place in Beijing on Saturday, saw Swiatek triumph over the American, ending Gauff’s impressive 17-match winning streak.
Swiatek, who secured a remarkable win at the US Open, showed her mettle by defeating Gauff with a scoreline of 6-2, 6-3, setting the stage for a thrilling final on Sunday against either Elena Rybakina or Liudmila Samsonova.
The Polish sensation took control of the game early in the first set, capitalizing on Gauff’s errors and apparent injury. Swiatek wasted no time securing a double break of serve, swiftly wrapping up the first set as Gauff struggled to regain her footing.
The second set began with another break by Swiatek, further amplifying her dominance. A brief pause occurred in the match as Gauff received treatment for a shoulder injury. Yet, upon resumption, Swiatek maintained her composure and continued her relentless assault, ultimately sealing her victory as Gauff hit yet another forehand into the net.
Remarkably, this was Gauff’s first loss since her defeat to fellow American Jessica Pegula in Montreal back in August, highlighting the exceptional nature of Swiatek’s win.
In the other semi-final later that day, world number five Elena Rybakina faced off against Liudmila Samsonova, ranked 22nd. Rybakina, who had previously eliminated the tournament favourite Aryna Sabalenka, showcased her formidable skills once again, securing her place in the final.
The China Open, making a triumphant return after a hiatus since 2019 due to Beijing’s shift from an isolationist zero-Covid policy, has witnessed a high level of competition and extraordinary performances. The men’s competition concluded earlier in the week, with Italy’s Jannik Sinner emerging victorious over world number three Daniil Medvedev in a thrilling final.
