China Open: Coco Gauff launches title defence in style

Tennis star Coco Gauff is hoping to build on experience, after brushing aside Russia’s Kamilla Rakhimova 6-4, 6-0 on Sept 26 to secure a spot in the last 32 as she bids for a repeat WTA China Open crown.

The world No. 3 from the United States will next face Canada’s Leylah Fernandez in Beijing, who triumphed decisively over Greece’s Maria Sakkari 6-2, 6-0.

“Super happy to be back here. I have great memories here from last year. Hoping to make some more good memories here,” said Gauff.

The American is also looking forward to some time off if it fits her schedule.

“No, I haven’t (been to the Forbidden City). I just haven’t had time. But maybe tomorrow or something. I wanna go shopping, so I think we’re gonna go to some of the malls here today,” she added.

In her first appearance since the US Open, Gauff powered through a drawn-out second game to save four break points and level for 1-1 with a cross-court winner.

It was the 21-year-old who broke first, landing the ball right on the line for a 4-3 lead. Gauff won the next game, and although Rakhimova held her off for one more, it was the defending champion who triumphed.

An energised Gauff broke early without losing a single point in the first game of the second set and defended against a fighting Rakhimova for a 2-0 lead.

She worked hard to save three break points over the frustrated but defiant 89th-ranked Russian to pick up a third straight game.

Gauff made quick work of the rest to deny 24-year-old Rakhimova any chance of a comeback and closed out the match with a bagel.

Her biggest rival in Beijing is world No. 2 Iga Swiatek, fresh off a title in Seoul, after top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka withdrew.

In other news, Carlos Alcaraz, on September 25, said that tennis players are fighting “to have something better” after an elite group sent letters to the Grand Slam tournaments asking for more influence and money.

A group of leading players, including men’s world No. 1 Alcaraz, is pushing for a greater share of revenue, more benefits and a bigger say in how the sport’s four major tournaments are run.

Alcaraz, playing at the Japan Open in Tokyo, where he will face Zizou Bergs in the round of 16 on September 27, said the current situation was “a mess” and believes players deserve a fairer deal.

“We are all tennis players and we are fighting to have something better for us,” the Spaniard said.

“I think right now, it’s a little bit of a mess between everything, between the ATP (men’s tour), between the Grand Slams. What we want, all the players, is to have everything together.”

The letter, reportedly signed by other top stars including Jannik Sinner, Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka, is the second sent by the group of players.