A more aggressive Coco Gauff finds a way back in Beijing semifinal to end Paula Badosa's bid

Coco Gauff was near the cusp of going out of the China Open Saturday, as Paula Badosa had her grip on their semifinal in Beijing.

But a key stretch of more assertive play from Gauff and an abrupt dip by her opponent saw the No. 4 seed turn the tables for a 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory. The reward for Gauff is a first final appearance since beginning her 2024 season with a title defense in Auckland.

"I always grew up on the philosophy that the second set is the most important set, which it is because you either win the match or you stay in the match with that set," Gauff told press.  "I'd rather be able to raise my level in the second set than kind of crash after the first."

The opening set was a juxtaposition of Badosa hanging tough and Gauff missing a slew of chances. The Spaniard staved off 10 break points—including seven in the eighth game—before her opponent finally managed to get back on serve. On deuce No. 10, the No. 4 seed pulled out an untouchable drop shot, then showed off her defensive flair to come through the marathon 26-point game.

Gauff's hard work to get back on even terms was short lived, however. Badosa immediately broke for the second time when the American’s backhand landed wide. A forehand miscue off Gauff’s racquet ended the topsy-turvy set.

Badosa generated an early break in set two with a forehand passing shot that proved too low for Gauff to pick up. Struggling with landing her first serve, the 2023 US Open champion valiantly fought off four break points—seemingly going for broke in clocking a batch of clean winners—to hold for 2-3.

That golden opportunity for Badosa to take full control would cost her in a major way. She was once again broken when serving at 4-3, although Gauff capitalized at the first time of asking on this occasion by continuing to up her aggression. After Gauff fired an ace to hold for 5-4, Badosa produced three consecutive unforced errors to suddenly find herself down three set points—none of which were erased.

With new life in the encounter and looking confident with her striking, Gauff went on an 18 for 20-point run. Badosa cooled her off just in time to get back on serve, only to hand over the re-break with a botched forehand. She was unable to force the 20-year-old to serve it out, with her final forehand sailing long.

Gauff leveled her head-to-head with Badosa to 3-3 and has now won both of their clashes this season (Rome fourth round). The Delray Beach, Fla. resident is bidding to win her second WTA 1000 title, having triumphed at 2023 Cincinnati. Gauff awaits the winner of fifth seed Zheng Qinwen and Czech Karolina Muchova.