China Open final” />
Amanda Anisimova, the US Open finalist, delivered a commanding performance against defending champion Coco Gauff, defeating her 6-1, 6-2 in just 58 minutes on Saturday to secure a spot in the China Open final, where she will face Linda Noskova.
Linda Noskova, seeded 26th from the Czech Republic, overcame a daunting challenge by saving three match points in her semifinal clash, ultimately upsetting fifth seed Jessica Pegula in a thrilling three-set battle.
“I felt confident throughout the entire match,” said Anisimova, the tournament’s third seed who was runner-up to Aryna Sabalenka at the US Open last month.
“Everything was clicking today, which is exactly how I like to play.”
She acknowledged the toughness of her opponent, adding, “Coco is a formidable competitor, so I knew I had to elevate my game.”
Reflecting on her rapid return to a final, Anisimova revealed she had taken a break after the US Open and even had a tooth extraction on the day she flew to Beijing.
“I wasn’t feeling fully match-ready before the tournament,” the 24-year-old admitted, who is now just one victory away from claiming her fourth career title.
“I wondered if traveling there was a mistake since things started off rough, but I realized that when I’m not at my physical best or facing adversity, I tend to play more freely without pressure.”
– A Dominant Display –
Anisimova surged ahead with a 5-0 lead in the opening set within 15 minutes, capitalizing on an unusually error-prone Gauff, who sent multiple shots long and into the net.
The 21-year-old French Open champion double-faulted twice, handing Anisimova two set points before finally getting on the board.
However, Gauff’s efforts came too late to shift the momentum.
The second set mirrored the first, with Anisimova quickly racing to a 5-0 advantage over her fellow American.
Although Gauff clawed back two games, Anisimova’s commanding play sealed the match in under an hour.
This marked Anisimova’s fastest victory in Beijing, a tournament where she had previously battled through two three-set matches.
“She’s definitely among the elite,” Gauff acknowledged.
“I wish I had played better today; I need to raise my level.”
Before this defeat, Gauff’s only loss on Beijing’s Diamond Court was to Poland’s world number two, Iga Swiatek, in the 2023 semifinals.
“It’s been an incredible year for me,” Anisimova added, having qualified for the WTA Finals this week in Beijing.
– Noskova’s Joyful Triumph –
Noskova stunned the favored Pegula with a 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (8-6) victory after a grueling 2 hours and 28 minutes, setting up the biggest match of her career on Sunday.
“Jessica played amazingly well,” said the 20-year-old Czech.
“It came down to just a couple of points, and I’m overjoyed to have come out on top.”
The two engaged in tactical, intense rallies, constantly testing each other’s movement and endurance.
The final set was a nail-biting affair, with Pegula double-faulting on match point before the contest moved to a tiebreak.
“Mentally and physically, it was a tough battle, so I’m really going to savor this win,” Noskova remarked.
She now aims to capture her second career title and her first at the prestigious WTA 1000 level.