Coco Gauff advances to quarterfinals after tough battle against Bencic

In Beijing, China, Coco Gauff, the 19-year-old French Open champion, continues her impressive run at the China Open. On Tuesday, September 30, 2025, Gauff faced off against Belinda Bencic, the Swiss tennis player, in a highly anticipated third-round match of the WTA 1000-series tournament. The encounter proved challenging as Gauff was initially down a set, struggling against Bencic's strong serve and aggressive play. However, Gauff showcased her resilience, managing to break Bencic's serve at a critical moment to open the deciding set. With a final score of 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2, Gauff secured her spot in the quarterfinals. This victory marks Gauff's continued ascent in the tournament, improving her head-to-head record against Bencic to 4-2. The match displayed Gauff's mental fortitude as she overcame obstacles within the match, including serving troubles, to clinch the win. Earlier in the tournament, she had already faced a tough challenge against Leylah Fernandez, winning that match in a tight three-setter as well. Gauff, who is defending her title, remains a firm crowd favorite in Beijing, bolstered by her winning reputation from the previous year. This competition is taking place alongside an ATP 500 men's tournament, with several exciting matches scheduled in both events. Gauff's performance asserts her position as a formidable contender in women's tennis this season, following an outstanding win in the Australian Open earlier in the year.