Amanda Anisimova thrashes Coco Gauff in 58 minutes to make tennis’ China Open final
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Amanda Anisimova (above) thrashed second-seeded fellow American Coco Gauff 6-1, 6-2 on Oct 4.
PHOTO: AFP
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BEIJING – US Open runner-up Amanda Anisimova crushed defending champion Coco Gauff in just 58 minutes on Oct 4 to reach her first China Open final.
The third seed thrashed second-seeded fellow American Gauff 6-1, 6-2 in Beijing.
Anisimova plays the Czech Republic’s 26th-seeded Linda Noskova, who overcame fifth seed Jessica Pegula of the United States 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (8-6).
“I felt really good throughout the whole match,” said Anisimova, beaten in the final in New York by Aryna Sabalenka a month ago.
“All my shots were working today, which is my favourite way to play. Coco’s a really tough player, so I knew I was gonna really have to step it up.”
She also said she was surprised to be back in another final so soon, having taken time off after the US Open and removing a tooth the day of her flight.
“I didn’t really feel like I was match fit ahead of the tournament,” said the 24-year-old, who is one win away from a fourth career title.
“I was like, is it a mistake that I’m flying there (Beijing) and everything’s just off to a bad start?
“But I think I learnt... when I’m not feeling my best physically or I’m facing a challenge, I actually play better because I don’t have as much pressure.”
The American stormed into a 5-0 first-set lead in 15 minutes as an uncharacteristically shaky Gauff hit a slew of shots long and into the net.
The 21-year-old reigning French Open winner double faulted twice to give Anisimova two set points before finally getting herself on the scoreboard.
But it was too little, too late.
Gauff’s nightmare continued in the second set as Anisimova again raced to a 5-0 lead. She managed to close that deficit by two games, but a commanding Anisimova closed out in less than an hour.
It was Anisimova’s quickest win yet in the Chinese capital, where she pulled off two three-set comebacks.
“She’s definitely one of the best,” Gauff said. “Today I would have liked to perform better and I need to step up my game.”
Gauff’s only loss on Beijing’s centre Diamond Court before Oct 4 had been to Poland’s world No. 2 Iga Swiatek in 2023, also in the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, world No. 1 Sabalenka is set to defend her title at next week’s Wuhan Open following a brief injury layoff, but local hero Zheng Qinwen is out.
Sabalenka won her fourth Grand Slam crown in New York in September but missed this week’s China Open with what she called a small injury.
The 27-year-old from Belarus is expected to return to action for the WTA 1000 event in the Chinese city of Wuhan, where she is the reigning champion and a three-time winner.
The main draw starts on Oct 6 with Swiatek and Gauff also among the top seeds.
In a blow to the tournament and home hopes, local favourite and Olympic champion Zheng pulled out on Oct 3 having recently returned from elbow surgery.
In men’s tennis, world No. 2 Jannik Sinner launched his Shanghai Masters title defence in fine form on Oct 4, breezing past Germany’s Daniel Altmaier 6-3, 6-3.
The 24-year-old Italian’s next opponent is the Netherlands’ Tallon Griekspoor in the last 32. Sinner is bidding to become the first player to retain the Shanghai title since Novak Djokovic in 2013.
AFP, REUTERS
