Coco Gauff reaches China Open last 16 for 4th year; Zheng Qinwen advances
Synopsis
Coco Gauff stormed through nine of the last ten games to dismiss 16-year-old Sun Xinran at the China Open, extending her streak to four consecutive Round of 16 appearances in Beijing. On the same day, home favourite Zheng Qinwen survived a three-set battle against Bouzkova to keep local hopes alive — setting up a tasty last-16 clash with Armenia's Alina Charaeva.
Key Takeaways
Coco Gauff beat Sun Xinran 7-5, 6-1 to advance to the China Open Round of 16 for the fourth consecutive year .
Gauff won nine of the final ten games , demonstrating a commanding late-match surge against the 16-year-old Chinese wildcard.
Gauff's career record against teenage opponents at WTA level stands at 24 wins from 28 matches .
Zheng Qinwen defeated 18th seed Marie Bouzkova 7-6 (3), 4-6, 7-5 to also reach the last 16.
Zheng will next face Alina Charaeva of Armenia in the Round of 16.
Coco Gauff delivered a commanding finish at the China Open WTA Tour event in Beijing on Monday, 6 October 2025, rallying to win nine of the final ten games and defeat 16-year-old Chinese wildcard Sun Xinran 7-5, 6-1. The result sends the American two-time Grand Slam champion into the Round of 16 for the fourth consecutive year at this tournament.
Gauff's Dominant Late Surge
After a competitive opening set that went the distance at 7-5, Gauff shifted gears emphatically in the second, dropping just one game as she closed out the match. The victory extended her career record against teenage opponents at WTA Tour level to 24 wins from 28 matches. Her sole loss against a teenager during that stretch came at the hands of Victoria Mboko — who went on to claim the title — in Montreal in 2025.
Gauff was effusive in her praise for Sun after the match. 'I think she's a little bit more mature than I was at 16,' Gauff said in her post-match interview. 'I think I got a little bit more frustrated than she did. But she's an incredible player. I knew going in it was going to be a tough match. The junior career that she's had is incredible, and obviously she's going to do great at this level.'
Zheng Qinwen Survives Three-Set Thriller
In the day's other featured contest, Chinese star Zheng Qinwen outlasted 18th seed Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic in a gruelling three-setter, winning 7-6 (3), 4-6, 7-5 to also book her place in the last 16. The match swung back and forth across all three sets, with neither player able to gain a decisive foothold until the closing stages.
Zheng earned the first service break of the contest before Bouzkova levelled by converting her own break point in the sixth game. A tiebreak settled the opening set in Zheng's favour at 7-3. Bouzkova came out stronger in the second, racing to a 3-0 lead and holding on to force a deciding set. The final set remained on serve for long stretches before Zheng converted her second match point to seal the win.
'Bouzkova is a very steady player, so I need to be patient, and I need to balance between forced and unforced errors,' Zheng reflected immediately after the match.
What Comes Next
Zheng will face Alina Charaeva of Armenia in the Round of 16. Gauff's next opponent has yet to be confirmed. This comes amid a packed schedule at the China Open, one of the marquee WTA events on the Asian swing, and the results maintain strong home interest with Zheng still in contention. Notably, Sun Xinran's performance against a top player of Gauff's calibre signals genuine promise for the next generation of Chinese women's tennis.
Point of View
Meanwhile, reflects her ongoing adjustment to the physical demands of back-to-back deep runs — the question heading into the quarterfinal phase is whether she has enough in reserve to sustain the effort against fresher opponents.
NationPress
6 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Coco Gauff perform at the 2025 China Open?
Coco Gauff defeated 16-year-old Sun Xinran 7-5, 6-1, winning nine of the final ten games to advance to the Round of 16. It marks her fourth consecutive year reaching the last 16 at the China Open in Beijing.
Who is Sun Xinran and how did she fare against Gauff?
Sun Xinran is a 16-year-old Chinese player who pushed Gauff to a competitive first set before losing 7-5, 6-1. Gauff praised Sun as 'an incredible player' with a standout junior career, suggesting she has a bright future at the WTA Tour level.
What was the result of Zheng Qinwen's China Open match?
Zheng Qinwen defeated 18th seed Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic 7-6 (3), 4-6, 7-5 in three sets to advance to the Round of 16. She converted her second match point to seal the win after the players traded holds throughout the final set.
Who will Zheng Qinwen play in the China Open Round of 16?
Zheng Qinwen is scheduled to face Alina Charaeva of Armenia in the next round of the China Open WTA event in Beijing.
What is Coco Gauff's record against teenage opponents on the WTA Tour?
Gauff holds a 24-4 career record against teenage opponents at WTA Tour level. Her only loss against a teenager during that span came against Victoria Mboko, who went on to win the title in Montreal in 2025.
