China Open 2024 Semifinal Preview: Paula Badosa challenges Coco Gauff, Muchova faces home favorite Zheng
WTA
The
China Open semifinals will be decided on Saturday, October 4, with Coco Gauff
and Paula Badosa as the protagonists of the first match. The day will close
with local star Zheng Qinwen facing an inspired Karolina Muchova.
Gauff
and Zheng hold a slight edge as the higher-ranked players who have maintained a
high level throughout the season. However, both Badosa and Muchova have shown
their credentials to reach this stage, both after long injury breaks over the
past year.
Muchova to challenge Zheng Qinwen in rematch of Palermo final
Zheng
Qinwen reached her first WTA 1000 semifinals and her fourth semifinal of the
season. The local hero faced a tough opponent in Mirra Andreeva, pulling off a
fantastic comeback with a 5-7, 6-0, 6-4 victory. The Chinese player seems to be
in top form in recent months, with 20 wins in her last 22 matches.
The 5th
seed will challenge former French Open runner-up Karolina Muchova, who has been
highly inspired since her return. The Czech eliminated first seed Aryna
Sabalenka 7-6 (5), 2-6, 6-4, marking the third consecutive time she has
defeated the Belarusian in semifinals, following the 2023 Cincinnati Open and
Roland Garros. She becomes the second Czech player to reach the semifinals of
the China Open after Petra Kvitova (2013, 2014, and 2017).
Zheng and
Muchova already faced off less than two months ago in the final of the WTA 250
Palermo Open, which was only Muchova’s third tournament after a nine-month
absence between 2023 and 2024. Zheng was the top seed and Muchova the second,
and in a three-set match, the 21-year-old Chinese player emerged victorious
6-4, 4-6, 6-2.
However,
this time Muchova arrives in better form than in Palermo and has dazzled in
Beijing. While the win over Sabalenka was tight, she dropped just 12 games in
her previous four matches (an average of only three per match). Zheng could
become the first local finalist in history, and defeating Muchova would allow
her to surpass Emma Navarro in the Race, temporarily placing her in contention
for the WTA Finals.
Badosa's resurgence continues as she meets Gauff in Beijing semifinals
There is
little doubt that Badosa has regained the form that took her to world No. 2 a
couple of seasons ago, until a back injury forced her to miss much of the 2023
season in a long six-month absence. The Spaniard hadn't played in a WTA 1000
semifinal in two and a half years, but she has now reached the semis in two
consecutive events, Cincinnati Open and this time in China.
Read also
The former
Indian Wells champion lost to Jessica Pegula in Cincinnati and will once again
face an American, seeking revenge to return to a final. This time, her opponent
will be Coco Gauff, who didn't have a great hardcourt swing in America and lost
quite a few points, but Beijing seems to suit her well, reaching the semifinals
for the second consecutive time (with an 8-1 record in the tournament).
At the
moment, Paula Badosa leads their head-to-head 3-2 (2-1 on hardcourts). Badosa’s
rise has been remarkable, moving from world No. 140 to No. 19 in just five
months. Currently, she is 11th in the Race and well-positioned to finish the
year inside the top-10.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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