Coco Gauff becomes youngest finalist at WTA China Open since 2010

Coco Gauff defeated Paula Badosa in the semi-finals of WTA China Open 2024.

The WTA China Open 2024 finalists have been confirmed after 11 days of high intense action. The second semi-final resulted in Coco Gauff becoming the youngest finalist in the event since Caroline Wozniacki in 2010. The 20-year-old American defeated Paula Badosa to achieve the feat.

14 years back, Wozniacki was 20 years, 3 months when she clinched the title in Beijing. Meanwhile, Gauff reached the final at 20 years, 6 months, 22 days old. While Wozniacki went on to win the title by defeating Russian Vera Zvonareva in the final, Gauff will face Karolina Muchova of Czech Republic.

1 – Coco Gauff is the youngest player to reach the final of Women’s Singles draw at the China Open since Caroline Wozniacki in 2010. Glory. #ChinaOpen | @ChinaOpen @WTA @WTA_insider pic.twitter.com/8t6tnONPP9

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) October 5, 2024

It will be the first meeting between the pair this season as they had faced twice in 2023. Muchova is yet to win a set against Gauff and will hope to improve her track record against the fourth seed. Their previous meeting had also occurred in hardcourts at US Open 2023 semi-finals and the finals in Cincinnati.

Gauff will also look to be the first American player since Serena Williams to win the WTA China Open. Williams had captured the trophy for the second time in 2013 as she had won the inaugural edition in 2004. Gauff could become the second American player to be crowned champion in Beijing.

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Muchova has also completed a few milestones on her way to the finals. The world No# 49 is the lowest ranked finalist yet in the event. Muchova has beaten two top ten ranked players in the previous matches, she defeated Aryna Sabalenka in the quarter-finals and Qinwen Zhang in the semi-finals. The 28-year-old could become the first player to defeat three top ten ranked players during a single edition of the event.

Coco Gauff chasing first title since January in China Open 2024

Gauff will be the favourite to take the title but has been struggling with form for the past few months on the tour. But she has been playing well so far at China Open 2024 and needs to improve her level against Muchova. Gauff’s court coverage and her ability to keep rallying will test Muchova’s patience. The Diamond court in Beijing will see two players hoping to reclaim the title for a much deserved comeback.

Gauff will be playing in her second final of the year after having won the title at Auckland in January. Her opponent had missed the first six months of this season due to a wrist surgery and has been patiently making progress on each event. The finalists of WTA China Open 2024 have shown their resilience on the court over the past few days and are expected to continue the fight.

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