Coco Gauff Shocks Tennis World with Stunning Grand Slam Victory

Coco Gauff Battles Past Leylah Fernandez to Reach China Open 2025 Round of 16 BEIJING—World No. 3 and defending champion Coco Gauff needed every ounce of grit to overcome Canada’s Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 in a 2-hour-45-minute thriller at the WTA-1000 China Open. The 21-year-old American fired nine double faults and surrendered seven breaks, but she steadied her forehand in the closing stages to break Fernandez at 5-5 in the decider and seal her 12th straight victory in Beijing. Gauff, fresh off her maiden Roland-Garros crown in June, is bidding to become the first woman since Serena Williams to defend a China Open title. Despite wobbling when serving for the match at 5-3, she regrouped behind aggressive returns that forced Fernandez into back-to-back forehand errors. “Matches like these remind me why I love the fight,” Gauff told on-court reporters, acknowledging the vocal National Tennis Center crowd. Key match stats • Aces: Gauff 5, Fernandez 3 • Winners / Unforced errors: Gauff 28 / 41, Fernandez 24 / 38 • Break points converted: Gauff 6-of-13, Fernandez 7-of-11 • Total points won: Gauff 108, Fernandez 104 Next up, Gauff faces Olympic champion Belinda Bencic, who advanced after a straight-sets win over Australia’s Priscilla Hon. The pair’s head-to-head stands at 3-2 in Gauff’s favor, with their last meeting coming in Miami earlier this season. Road to Beijing glory Round of 64: def. Petra Martić 6-3, 6-2 Round of 32: def. Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 Round of 16: vs. Belinda Bencic (TBD) Why this run matters • Rankings race: A title defense would tighten Gauff’s grip on the No. 2 spot as she chases Iga Świątek for year-end No. 1. • Streak watch: The American has won 17 of her last 18 matches on hard courts, including a 12-match China Open streak dating to 2024. • Momentum builder: With the WTA Finals one month away, Beijing offers Gauff critical match play against top-10 opposition. Off-court buzz Earlier this week the 21-year-old revealed that her new media venture, “IROC,” aims to highlight young athletes’ stories, a project she says was inspired by her mother’s creativity and her own desire to “own my narrative.” Tennis pundits believe the initiative could expand her brand reach well beyond the court. What’s next Gauff-Bencic is scheduled for Wednesday’s evening session on Diamond Court. A win would put the American into a potential quarterfinal clash with either Daria Kasatkina or Qinwen Zheng, the last Chinese player left in the draw. Fans can stream the match via the WTA’s official platforms and regional broadcasters. Live scores and updated draws are available on the tournament’s website and the WTA mobile app. SEO keywords: Coco Gauff, China Open 2025, Beijing tennis, Leylah Fernandez, Belinda Bencic, WTA 1000, defending champion, Gauff next match.