China Open: Gauff Continues Hot Streak, Pegula Sent Home Early
The quarterfinals have been set in Beijing after the favourites continue to dominate the field.
With Jessica Pegula, Petra Kvitova, and Ons Jabeur losing early in the China Open, the door opened for Liudmila Samsonova who took advantage advancing into the final eight. Samsonova beat Marta Kostyuk 6-4, 6-7, 7-5 in a match where holding service games were hard to come by, as 13 break points were won during the match.
Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina, two of the five players qualified for the WTA Finals in Cancun, comfortably advanced in Beijing. Jelena Ostapenko also advanced through her offensive style to hit winners at every opportunity possible. Her risky tactic proved to much for Pegula, as the Latvian advanced in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2.
Caroline Garcia, 2017 China Open champion, continues her run for her second title in Beijing after defeating Anhelina Kalinina 6-3, 6-2. Maria Sakkari played the only remaining Chinese player, Wang Xinyu. Wang and Sakkari played two unbalanced sets, taking one set each, forcing a deciding third. Sakkari prevailed 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 and advanced to a quarterfinal against Coco Gauff.
Gauff continues her hot streak after picking up her 15th consecutive victory after defeating Veronika Kudermetova. Gauff took advantage her speed and improved defense to convert five break points on route to a 7-6, 6-2 victory.
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka advanced into the quarterfinal as well, after a 6-4, 7-6 victory over Jasmine Paolini. Sabalenka is progressing close to winner her first title after earning the top rank on the WTA Tour, following the conclusion of the US Open. The Australian Open champion will play Rybakina in the for a spot in the semifinal in Beijing.
