Coco Gauff began his defense of the title in China Open with a 6-4 and 6-0 victory against Kamilla Rakhimova in Russia on Friday in Beijing.
The second round confrontation started with the competitors who divided the first six games on service before Gauff took control, winning nine of the last 10 games in the match.
The American of the second seeded saved the 10 break points she faced – including eight in the first set – and converted four of her nine break chances.
Gauff had more double defects (five) than (four) but won 66% of its service points and 51% of its return points.
“I am satisfied with the way I played,” said Gauff after the match. “(Rakhimova) played well, and I got used to the conditions, but I thought it was a good match overall. I am super happy to be back here in Beijing. Obviously, I had very good memories last year, and I hope to make other memories here.”
Gauff’s third round opponent is the 25th seeded Leylah Fernandez, who beat Greece Maria Sakkari 6-2, 6-0 in 74 minutes. Gauff won each of their two previous games, including the Australian Open this year.
While these two have advanced without too much adversity, six seed competitors fell on enemies not tested in action in the second round during the WTA 1000 event.
The Czech Barbara Krejcikova defeated No. 9 Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia 7-5, 6-2. The American McCartney Kessler beat the n ° 20 Elise Mertens of Belgium 6-2, 6-4 for his fifth victory of the top-30 of the year. The Hon of Priscilla in Australia eliminated the seeded n ° 22 Jelena Ostapenko from Latvia.
In a match of competitors in the country of origin, Shuai Zhang beat the head of N ° 31 Xinyu Wang 6-4, 6-2 for his first victory in four career meetings. She will then face Amanda Anisimova, n ° 3, who exceeded Katie Boulter of Great Britain with a 6-1, 6-3 victory.
Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic won a 7-5, 7-5 victory over the 33rd seed of Magda Linette de Poland while the German Eva Lys escaped a battle which lasted 2:37 to defeat n ° 32 IVA JOVIC 6-4, 4-6, 7-5.
The Italian Jasmine of sixth seeded Paolini was lifted to a 6-1, 6-3 victory against Anastasija Sevastova in Latvia and n ° 8 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan survived Caty McNally 7-5, 4-3. N ° 15 Belinda Bencic defeated Katie Volynets 6-3, 6-3 and n ° 18, Paula Badosa, of Spain, beat Antonia Ruzic 6-3 of Croatia, 7-6 (2).
– field level media
