Jasmine Paolini thrashes Iga Swiatek as Coco Gauff makes lightwork of Laura Siegemund

Jasmine Paolini and Coco Gauff are the final players through to the semi-finals of the Wuhan Open on Friday in a set of dominant victories in China over Iga Swiatek and Laura Siegemund respectively.

Gauff was first up seeing off Siegemund in a 6-3, 6-0 win at the Wuhan Open who was called out during the match on commentary by Sky Sports commentator Colin Fleming.

“She does have her own pace of play, doesn’t she? Very close to an hour on the match clock here, and we have only played a 6-3 set," he said on the commentary.

“That includes the long break after the set, she takes her time between points, and already had a time violation.

“Even things like a number of times she has thrown the ball up for the serve and let the toss drop and then bounced the ball a few more times. It’s not breaking a rule doing that but I raise it because I want to give Gauff credit for how calm and focused she has stayed and is continuing to be in this set. It can be annoying to play against.”

She dominated proceedings taking down the tricky German 6-3 in the opening set before breezing through the second 6-0. After exchanging breaks early in the first set, Gauff took control in the second. She hit eight aces while taking down Siegemund's service game breaking four times and pressuring her to commit five double faults.

It is a second consecutive WTA 1000 semi-final for Gauff, she competed in the China Open semi-final less than a week ago falling to Amanda Anisimova. She has now won 16 times in China.

“I am happy with how I played today. She is a tricky player. Back to the semifinals, so I am happy to be back here in this position.

“I think I had chances in the first set to have a greater lead. I think I just capitalised on those chances more in the second set. I am just happy to be back in another round. Just enjoying my time and taking it one match at a time.”

While Paolini breezed past Iga Swiatek in an emphatic 6-1, 6-2 victory in just over an hour. She was utterly dominant on her serve with 73% of first serve points won and 62% of second serve points won.

She also saved 2/3 break points while also converting 6/6 opportunities on the Swiatek serve. Paolini eased into a 4-0 lead breaking twice with Swiatek only winning three points in the first four games. Swiatek finally held serve at 4-1 down but only won two more points all set as the Italian sealed the opener.

Paolini and Swiatek were more embroiled at the start of the second but it was the same result as the Italian broke to go 3-1 up and then barely lost a point from there as Swiatek just couldn't find the answers she won only three points between 3-1 and losing the match at 6-2. It means we will get Sabalenka v Pegula and Gauff v Paolini in a superb semi-final line-up.