Beijing – Defending champion Coco Gauff made his third straight semi-final in China after defeating hard hit Eva Lys 6-3, 6-4 on Thursday.
The second-seed American was bothered by the serve and admitted seven opportunities for breakthroughs in Beijing. However, Lys, a German player, is seeking her first professional WTA title, and he can only convert three of them and five times in the French Open title against him.
“She was a tough opponent, and had some incredible shots in the run,” said Goff, who was looking for her 11th-time professional champion. “I’m trying to stay positive. Just be confident in my game and don’t be too passive.”
Gauff will next face the American and third seeds Amanda Anisimova, Wimbledon and US Open runner-up. She rallied 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-4, and defeated Jasmine Paolini, the sixth seed, for nearly three hours.
Paolini led 3-0 and dominated the finals.
Anisimova rushed 4-1 in the second set and won the championship on the serve.
In the decision suit, Anisimova had trouble with a 4-3, 40-15 decline, but it was crucial. She played with Paolini, who recently helped Italy retain the Billie Jean King Cup.
This is only their second meeting, beating Paolini for four years at Anisimova in Clay in Palermo, Italy.
