Gauff Launches China Open Title Defence in Dominant Fashion

World number three Coco Gauff kicked off her China Open title defence with an emphatic victory on Friday, defeating Russia’s Kamilla Rakhimova 6-4, 6-0 to advance to the last 32 in Beijing.

The 21-year-old American, playing her first tournament since the US Open, showed little sign of rust as she powered through a tight opening set before running away with the second to seal a commanding win.

Gauff was tested early, facing four break points in a marathon second game, but she kept her composure and produced a brilliant cross-court winner to hold serve and level the set 1-1.

That moment seemed to settle her nerves, and she broke Rakhimova soon after, painting the line with a forehand to take a 4-3 lead. Gauff then consolidated the break and eventually wrapped up the set 6-4, setting the tone for what became a one-sided contest.

“In the first set, I was a little tight,” Gauff admitted after the match. “Nobody wants to lose first round, so I think I just needed to loosen up and get in the flow.”

Total Control in the Second Set

The second set was all Gauff. She broke Rakhimova to love in the opening game and quickly raced to a 2-0 lead, frustrating the 89th-ranked Russian with her relentless defence and deep groundstrokes.

Even when Rakhimova mounted some resistance, Gauff found big serves and precise shots to fend off three break points and extend her advantage. From there, she never looked back, rattling off game after game to close out the set 6-0 in just 25 minutes.

“I expected it to be close, she’s a great player, and she’s had competitive results with top players in the last few tournaments,” Gauff said. “I just found my rhythm, and once I did, things started flowing my way.”

Gauff, who also won the French Open earlier this year, spoke about how past success in Beijing has boosted her confidence.

“When you play well at a place, you have a lot of confidence,” she said. “When those tough moments happen, you feel the familiarity of the conditions from the years before that.”

The victory keeps Gauff’s hopes of a successful title defence alive, and she will next face Canada’s Leylah Fernandez, who cruised past Greece’s Maria Sakkari 6-2, 6-0 earlier in the day.

Rivalries and Road Ahead

With world number one Aryna Sabalenka withdrawing from the tournament, Gauff’s toughest potential opponent in Beijing will be second-ranked Iga Swiatek, who is coming off a title run in Seoul. A rematch between the two young stars could be one of the most anticipated clashes of the week if they both progress deep into the draw.

For now, Gauff is focused on taking it one match at a time. “I just want to keep improving with every round,” she said. “Each match is a chance to get better and prepare for what’s ahead.”

The China Open, one of the biggest stops on the WTA calendar, also features a men’s ATP 500 event running simultaneously in Beijing, drawing top players from around the world.

See also: Hakimi unbothered by rape allegations