Coco Gauff’s Thrilling US Open Run: How Her Historic Semi-Final Win Is Redefining Women’s Tennis

Coco Gauff’s Beijing streak continues: the 21-year-old American overpowered Germany’s Eva Lys 6-3, 6-4 to book her third consecutive China Open semifinal and keep her title-defense hopes alive. The No. 2 seed needed just 88 minutes on Diamond Court to stretch her career record in the Chinese capital to an imposing 14-1, underscoring why the fast Beijing hard courts have become her most productive hunting ground since her breakout Grand Slam triumphs. From the opening 16-stroke rally—finished by a signature Gauff lob—fans saw vintage “never-say-die” court coverage pair with newly sharpened first-strike aggression. Gauff finished with 22 winners to Lys’ 14 and limited her own unforced-error count to 19 while pressuring the world No. 66 into 48 miscues. “I tried to stay on the front foot,” Gauff said courtside, crediting coach Brad Gilbert’s insistence on proactive patterns. “She was ripping the ball, so passive tennis wasn’t going to cut it.” The victory sends Gauff into her fourth tour semifinal of 2025 and her first on hard courts since lifting last season’s WTA Finals trophy in Riyadh. Waiting next is long-time compatriot rival Amanda Anisimova, who ousted Jasmine Paolini in a late-night thriller. Their head-to-head sits level at 2-2, but Gauff edged their most recent clash at the 2024 Miami Open. Saturday’s marquee matchup is scheduled not before 3 p.m. local time (GMT+8), with global broadcasters and WTA TV streaming live. Key storylines to watch • Back-to-back titles: Having already defended Auckland (2023–24), Gauff aims to become the tournament’s first repeat champion since Agnieszka Radwańska in 2013-14. • Ranking implications: A title run would cement her at No. 2 and keep pressure on world No. 1 Iga Świątek heading into the European indoor swing. • Serve surge: Gauff has won 79 % of first-serve points this week, up from her season average of 71 %, a statistic that could decide the power-laden semifinal. Off-court buzz Chinese fans have dubbed the American “Gao Fu,” a play on her surname meaning “high and rich,” a nod to her soaring topspin forehand and ever-growing endorsement portfolio. Meanwhile, social media lit up after Lys posted a heartfelt Instagram message praising Gauff’s sportsmanship, a moment that further burnished the 2023 US Open champion’s popularity across Asia. What’s next Should Gauff navigate Anisimova’s shot-making barrage, a potential final looms against either top-seed Świątek or Beijing dark-horse Mirra Andreeva—an enticing prospect as the WTA’s elite jockey for momentum ahead of the year-ending championships in Riyadh. With her trademark fighting spirit, a booming serve clicking at just the right time, and Beijing’s crowd firmly in her corner, Coco Gauff is three sets away from adding another chapter to her rapidly growing legacy on the WTA Tour.