Beijing – French Open champion Coco Gauff was forced to play against Canada’s Leylah Fernandez, and then finished the match 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 on Sunday, before moving to the third round of the China Open.
The defending champion and the most popular crowd in Beijing overcame the second match, then played hard in the third match, and then broke Fernandez in the 12th match of the decision to win the championship.
Gauff will next face No. 16 Belinda Bencic or Priscilla Hon, Australia, in the WTA 1000 Series Championship.
In the early Sunday, Eva Lys defeated No. 10 Elena Rybakina 6-3, 1-6, 6-4, while US McCartney Kessler led Barbora Krejcikova 1-6, 7-5, 3-0, when Czech players retired from the game.
The tournament is held at the same time as the ATP 500 Men’s Championship.
On the second day of becoming the latest tennis star to apologize to Chinese fans, Lorenzo Musetti beat Tour veteran Adrian Mannarino 6-3, 6-3 in the second round.
Earlier, learner Tien, defeated Flavio Cobolli 6-3, 6-2, to hold a meeting with ninth-ranked Musetti in the quarterfinals.
No. 3 Alexander Zverev played France’s Corentin Moutet in a night game later Sunday.
