In a match that showcased her trademark resilience, Coco Gauff defeated Eva Lys 6-3, 6-4 on Thursday to advance to the semifinals of the China Open for the third consecutive year. The defending champion from the United States, seeded second, navigated a barrage of powerful groundstrokes from the 66th-ranked German with the kind of steady defense that has become her hallmark. It wasn't always smooth—Lys pushed back hard in the second set—but Gauff's ability to extend rallies and force errors ultimately wore down her opponent on the hard courts of Beijing.
Gauff's path here hasn't been without drama. She edged out Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 in the third round, a gritty three-setter that tested her mental fortitude. Then came the tense quarterfinal qualifier against Belinda Bencic, where Gauff rallied from a set down to win 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-2 amid some crowd tension involving the Swiss player. Indeed, these victories highlight Gauff's growth; at just 21, she's already proving why she's a top contender, especially with bigger names like Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek out of the draw early.
Lys, for her part, arrived with momentum, having upset higher seeds like Elena Rybakina in straight three-set battles earlier in the tournament. Her aggressive style—big serves and flat forehands—troubled Gauff at times, particularly when the American's backhand was under pressure. Yet Lys couldn't sustain the power, committing 28 unforced errors to Gauff's 18. Moreover, Gauff converted 4 of 7 break points, a stat that underscores her opportunistic play. It's a tough break for the 23-year-old Lys, who's been on a tear in Asia this fall but falls short against elite defense.
Now, Gauff eyes a potential semifinal clash with either Zheng Qinwen or another riser, a step closer to repeating as champion in this WTA 1000 event. Her serve held firm at 82 percent first-serve points won, but the real story is her composure under Beijing's bright lights. As the tournament heats up, one wonders how far this blend of youth and experience will carry her in the season's final stretch.