Coco Gauff has become the youngest American player to reach the quarter-finals of the China Open after beating Veronika Kudermetova in straight sets.
The world No.3 overcame a tricky opening set before strolling to a 7-6(5), 6-2, win over the Russian who has previously won five out of her last six meetings against top 10 players. Gauff struggled at times with her consistency on the court. She lost her serve three consecutive times during the opening frame and saved three set points before clawing her way back to force a tiebreak. However, she faired better in the second set with Kudmertova becoming visibly frustrated with her shot-making at times.
“She was playing some really good tennis,” Gauff said of Kudmertova. “I think she was striking the ball well and returning well.”
“Then I was able to raise my game and keep going after the first set.”
Gauff’s latest performance saw her produce more unforced errors than winners at 18 to 11. However, her unforced error count was almost half of that compared to her opponent, who produced 35. She also won 65% of her first service points and 53% of her second.
This week 19-year-old Gauff is making her debut at the China Open. Earlier in the tournament, she defeated Ekaterina Alexanderova before ousting Petra Martic in a three-hour marathon.
“The first couple of matches were rough but I feel that today I played pretty much good tennis for the most part. I’m happy to keep improving match by match.” She commented.
The latest victory is Gauff’s 15th consecutive win on the Tour and her 36th hardcourt win this season. To put that into perspective the last American teenager to win 35 or more matches on a hardcourt was Venus Williams in 1999.
Gauff will next play either Maria Sakkari or Xinya Wang.
Earlier in the day, reigning WTA Finals champion Caroline Garcia booked her place in the last eight by beating Anhelina Kalinina 6-3, 6-2. She will next take on the second seed Iga Swiatek.
