Coco Gauff’s championship defense at the Chinese Open lost to third-seeded Amanda Anisimova on Saturday, a 6-1, 6-2 semifinal.
This year’s runner-up Anisimova at the U.S. Open and Wimbledon took only 58 minutes to beat her fellow Americans and reach the finals.
“I know if I want to win, I’ll have to play well with Coco. I’m so glad to be in the finals,” she said.
Anisimova, who has risen to fourth place in the world rankings, leads 5-0 in both groups.
She will face Jessica Pegula or Linda Noskova, the fifth seed, who is 26th.
Since the format was introduced in 2009, the 20-year-old Noskova has become the youngest Czech player and is about to enter the WTA 1000 semifinals.
