World number two, Iga Swiatek, showcased her prowess on the tennis court by ending Coco Gauff’s 16-match winning streak with a dominant 6-2, 6-3 victory in the China Open. With this win, Swiatek secured her spot in the final, where she will face Russian Liudmila Samsonova.
Gauff entered the match against Swiatek in red-hot form, having clinched her maiden Grand Slam title at the U.S. Open and riding a wave of confidence. However, Swiatek was determined to regain her grip on the rivalry, and she did just that with a strong performance.
During the first set, Swiatek did not face a single break point, displaying her exceptional skills from the back of the court. She cruised through the set in just 40 minutes. In the second set, Swiatek continued to apply pressure, securing an early break to take a 2-0 lead. Gauff held her serve but also took a medical timeout to address a shoulder issue.
Swiatek, a four-time major champion, maintained her intensity after the restart and sealed the victory. This win puts her on course for her first WTA 1000 title of the season and marks her fifth trophy of the year, leading the tour in victories.
Reflecting on her performance, Swiatek expressed her happiness and credited her mindset shift since the U.S. Open. She emphasized the importance of overcoming tough times and highlighted the role of hard work in achieving success.
In the upcoming final, Swiatek will face Liudmila Samsonova, who defeated former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina 7-6(7), 6-3. Samsonova has been on a remarkable run in Beijing, defeating multiple former Grand Slam champions, including Petra Kvitova and Jelena Ostapenko.
As the tennis world eagerly awaits the China Open final, fans can expect an exciting clash between Swiatek and Samsonova, two formidable players in top form.
