China Open: Aryna Sabalenka wins, Coco Gauff downs Veronika Kudermetova, Caroline Garcia sets up Iga Swiatek clash
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Updated 06/10/2023 at 07:22 GMT
US Open champion Coco Gauff won her 15th successive match when she beat Veronika Kudermetova in straight sets to reach the quarter-final of the China Open in Beijing on Thursday. Elsewhere, France's Caroline Garcia was the winner against Ukrainian Anhelina Kalinina, while current No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka defeated Italy's Jasmine Paolini 6-4 7-6(7-4).
Watch the moment Gauff wins her first slam title with victory over Sabalenka at US Open
Coco Gauff beat Veronika Kudermetova 7-6(5) 6-2 in the last 16 of the China Open on Thursday, and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka defeated Jasmine Paolini 6-4 7-6(7-4).
The US Open champion continued her good form as she reached the quarter-finals in one of the season’s biggest remaining tournaments.
Gauff now boasts wins in 21 of her last 22 matches, winning each of her last 15, and will play Maria Sakkari in the quarters, after the Greek player defeating Wang Xinyu 6-4 2-6 6-3.
"I'm really happy with how I've been able to troubleshoot and problem-solve," Gauff said after the match. "I played a good match overall."
She needed all three sets to defeat Petra Martic in the previous round on Tuesday but, after a tough start, the match against Kudermetova ended up being more straightforward.
Kudermetova dropped four double faults over the two sets as Gauff converted five of her eight break points.
Gauff saved four set points in the opener as she wrestled it back from 4-5 0-40 to force a tie-break, which she edged before racing away in the second set to claim victory.
Elsewhere, France’s Caroline Garcia saw off Ukrainian Anhelina Kalinina 6-3 6-2.
Garcia was far from her ruthless best, failing to convert 10 of her 14 break points. She faces a tough match in the quarter-finals as she will take on former world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, who will be looking to take back the top ranking from Sabalenka.
Speaking after the win, Garcia said: “Definitely pleased with the win and the way I played, the mindset, and the attitude.
“It’s probably one of the best matches I played this year. So it’s never too late. Better late than never, I would say.”
Sabalenka's win sets up a quarter-final against Elena Rybakina, and sent down 13 aces in the first set alone, and in the second set the Italian twice served for the set, at 5-4 and 6-5, but Sabalenka held on.
"She's' a great player. She's moving well, putting so many balls back, so she makes you work for it," Sabalenka said after her win.
"In the tie-break, I was just telling myself, 'Stay aggressive, come in, just play your game and you'll get this tie-break'.
"I'm happy I was able to win that second set and finish the match. I think she played really great tennis, and in those key moments, I showed my best tennis. That's most important, and I'm happy with that."
Liudmila Samsonova set up a quarter-final against Jelena Ostapenko with a 6-4 6-7(4) 7-5 victory over Marta Kostyuk.
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