Did Gauff Overcome Lys to Make it to the China Open Semifinals?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Coco Gauff is the No. 2 seed in the tournament.
- She has advanced to the semifinals for the third consecutive year.
- Her match against Eva Lys showcased her resilience and skill.
- Gauff aims to defend her title successfully for the second time.
- She boasts an impressive record of 14-1 in Beijing.
Beijing, Oct 2 (NationPress) The No. 2 seed Coco Gauff has advanced to the semifinals of the China Open for the third consecutive year, enduring a fierce display of power from Eva Lys before securing victory in their quarterfinal match with a score of 6-3, 6-4 on Thursday.
This marks Gauff's fourth semifinal appearance in 2025 and her first on surfaces other than clay since winning the WTA Finals in Riyadh last year. She boasts an impressive 14-1 career record in Beijing and has reached the semifinals in each of her appearances, becoming the first player since Jelena Jankovic to achieve three consecutive semifinal berths here from 2006 to 2008, according to the WTA.
The American tennis star is on a quest to defend her title for the second time in her career (after Auckland 2023-24) and will compete against either No. 3 seed Amanda Anisimova or No. 6 seed Jasmine Paolini in the semifinals.
The match's intensity was evident from the very first point: a grueling 16-stroke rally where Lys displayed her aggressive strategy but was ultimately thwarted by Gauff's exceptional lob and forehand finish.
Ranked No. 66, Lys remained steadfast in her offensive approach. Her impressive 14 winners masked the number of times Gauff was forced into errors due to Lys' relentless speed, particularly after long exchanges exceeding 10 shots.
This game initiated a series of five breaks in the first set, mirrored by three consecutive breaks in the second. Gauff consistently maintained the lead and control throughout the match. While Lys produced some remarkable points, she struggled with the consistency needed to penetrate Gauff's defenses. Reports indicate that the German concluded the match with 48 unforced errors.
Post-match, Gauff commented, “She’s a tough opponent; she hit some incredible shots on the run. I was trying my best to stay aggressive. Just staying confident in my game and not being too passive when I have the lead.”