"We were going back and forth": Coco Gauff highlights what she could have done better in win against Leylah Fernandez at China Open

America’s Coco Gauff has admitted that there was one area of her game that she would like to improve, despite winning the third round contest at the China Open. The world number three cemented her spot in the round of 16 of the ongoing WTA 1000 event after beating Canada’s Leylah Fernandez with a score of 6-4, 4-6, 7-5.

Gauff spoke to the media after the match and admitted that her serve could have been better. Gauff also stated that she did what she had to do in the contest to eventually come out on top in a tough contest. “It was very physical, we were going back and forth,” said Gauff. “Obviously, the third set I was applying pretty well, and then I think I could have served a little bit better, but I did what I needed to do to win today.”

Gauff further went on to praise Fernandez for playing an outstanding match. Gauff admitted that Fernandez did not give her easy points on the day. Gauff highlighted that the court was ‘so slow’ and suggested that one of the most difficult things to do in the match was adjusting to the conditions.

"She [Fernandez] definitely played great tennis," said Gauff. "I thought she was being aggressive, striking the ball pretty well. She wasn't really giving me much free points either. I wish I was more aggressive in some moments. I could tell she stepped up the aggressiveness in the second. I think in that 3-2 game on those break points, I should have put the ball deeper and maybe tried to get her to open up the court. The conditions were so slow, which I feel like she does well with that because she likes to take the ball so early. So I felt like my heaviness wasn't doing a lot with her as the balls got older. I found when I had new balls, I would win, like, two or three games in a row. I think the toughest part was just dealing with the conditions and trying to feel like I could hit through her, but I couldn't do that as well today as I felt like I did earlier this year."

Former Ukrainian player Olga Savchuk, while speaking to Sky Sports, praised both players for producing incredible tennis on the court. Savchuk stated that the defeat will be ‘tough’ to swallow for Fernandez. “Absolutely incredible match from both, we’ve seen so many twists and turns in this match and especially in the third set,” said Savchuk. “Overall, 15 breaks of serve, which is just incredible. I mean, Leylah Fernandez, what a game she produced today. She was so close to the finish line, came back twice, three times to try and win this set. It will be tough to swallow, I have to say for her.”

Gauff’s next round opponent will be Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic. The 28-year-old cemented her spot in the last 16 after beating Australia’s Priscilla Hon with a score of 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. It will be the sixth meeting between the two players in professional tennis. In the previous five meetings, Gauff had a slight advantage as she won on three occasions and suffered two defeats.

Their most recent meeting came in the fourth round of the Madrid Open earlier this year, where Gauff came out on top in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 6-2. In 2025, the two players have faced off on three occasions, with Gauff coming out on top on two occasions. Her other win came in the fourth round of the Australian Open, where Gauff came out on top with a score of 5-7, 6-2, 6-1.