Gauff reaches her fourth 2025 semifinal and first on hard courts, aiming to defend a title, next facing Anisimova or Paolini at the China Open
Beijing
American star Coco Gauff powered into the China Open semifinals for the third consecutive year, defeating Germany’s Eva Lys 6-3, 6-4 in Thursday’s quarterfinal. The No. 2 seed maintained her dominance in Beijing, where she now holds an impressive 14-1 career record.
This marks Gauff’s fourth semifinal appearance of 2025 and her first on a non-clay surface since winning the WTA Finals in Riyadh last year. She is also the first player since Jelena Jankovic (2006–08) to reach three straight semifinals at the China Open. Gauff, who is aiming to defend a title for just the second time in her career after Auckland (2023–24), will next face either Amanda Anisimova or Jasmine Paolini.
Lys, ranked 66th, made her aggressive approach clear from the very first point, engaging Gauff in a 16-shot rally. She struck 14 winners and pushed Gauff into long exchanges, but her inconsistency proved costly as she finished with 48 unforced errors. Despite moments of brilliance, she struggled to sustain pressure against Gauff’s steady defense and tactical shot-making.
The match featured multiple service breaks in both sets, yet Gauff consistently stayed ahead. Her ability to absorb Lys’ pace and respond with precision gave her the edge throughout. “She’s a tough opponent; she hit some incredible shots on the run,” Gauff said afterwards. “I was trying to stay aggressive and confident without getting passive when I had the lead.”
With her Beijing campaign gaining momentum, Gauff is now two wins away from defending her title successfully, further solidifying her reputation as one of the tour’s most consistent young champions.
