Gauff Fights Back to Secure Place in China Open Final

Fourth seed Coco Gauff staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Paula Badosa and reach her first China Open final. The 20-year-old American overcame a set and a break down, winning the match 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.

Badosa, ranked 19th in the world and a former world number two, initially appeared in control, serving at 4-3 in the second set. However, Gauff broke back and went on to dominate the next four games, setting up a decisive third set. The match lasted two hours and 21 minutes.

Gauff will face either unseeded Czech player Karolina Muchova or fifth seed Qinwen Zheng in the final. Badosa, who had made a significant comeback from being ranked as low as 140th in May, came into the semi-final with strong momentum, including a victory over second seed and US Open finalist Jessica Pegula in the last 16.

Badosa capitalized on Gauff's inconsistencies, particularly her serve, which produced 11 double faults. The Spaniard took the opening set and broke in the first game of the second set, but Gauff saved four break points to avoid going down 4-1. From that point, she regained her focus and composure, marking the end of Badosa's unbeaten run in the tournament.

In the final set, Gauff broke Badosa three times to seal the victory as she aims to add to her only title of the year, which she won in Auckland in January. After the match, Gauff reflected, "I tried to stay focused; it was tough, but mentally I just tried to reset."