Coco Gauff survived a scare to beat Ukrainian qualifier Yuliia Starodubtseva in three sets and reach the China Open semifinals on Thursday.
The 2023 US Open champion will face Paula Badosa after the Spaniard ended the fairytale run of China’s 595th-ranked Zhang Shuai in straight sets.
Gauff, seeded four, fought back to defeat 115th-ranked Starodubtseva 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 in Beijing.
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The 20-year-old American recently parted ways with coach Brad Gilbert as she attempts to regain the form that brought her a first Grand Slam crown last year.
Gauff’s serve has become a particular problem and it was so again as she surrendered the first set.
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