Title defense alive: Coco Gauff survives rollercoaster to beat Leylah Fernandez

Coco Gauff survived a tough battle against Leylah Fernandez to advance to the Round of 16 of the China Open. The World No. 3 overcame a fighting Fernandez (25th seed) and claimed the victory 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 after nearly three hours to keep her title defense alive in Beijing.

One of the most interesting matchups of the day at the WTA Beijing featured Leylah Fernandez against Coco Gauff. The Canadian player and the American player were facing off for a spot in the Round of 16. The encounter had already been repeated three times, and the American had always won, without dropping a single set, making her the favorite once again.

The first set began evenly on both sides, with a Gauff who was more imposing on her serve, winning her first couple of service games to love, while Fernandez struggled to avoid the break. However, the prize came for the American, who took the lead in the 5th game on her second break point.

It wasn't so easy to close the set, as a couple of games later Fernandez recovered the break and leveled the score at 4-4. It did little good, as the American quickly responded and took the last pair of games consecutively, closing the first set 6-4.

The second set began with both players trading breaks, and Gauff started struggling with her first serve. Both had chances to secure another break in the following games, but neither capitalized. Fernandez took the lead by serving first and didn't let the pressure get to her, holding her serve without too many problems.

With the score at 5-4 in favor of the Canadian, her break opportunity arrived amidst Gauff's service errors. Fernandez secured the break and took the set 6-4, in a set without huge differences, but where the key points simply tilted in favor of the 2021 US Open runner-up.

The decisive set was a true rollercoaster where nerves were a significant element. The first five games saw traded breaks: Gauff took the lead, and Fernandez responded with a break back. The first five games were breaks: three for Gauff and two for Fernandez. The first to hold a service game was Gauff in the 6th game, taking a 4-2 lead—then securing a fourth consecutive break in her favor to go up 5-2 with service to win.

It was the moment of definition for Gauff, with a double-break advantage and serving for the match, but it wouldn't be that simple. Gauff wasted a match point on her serve, and Fernandez recovered the break. Not only that, but she then won her service game (after conceding four consecutive service games).

Gauff served again at 5-4 for the win, but once more Fernandez responded with a break and leveled the score, in a match that seemed like a guaranteed victory for Gauff moments earlier. Despite the fight, Fernandez didn't get her reward: Coco broke back and finally closed out—on her third opportunity—the match with her serve 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 after two hours and 47 minutes.