Paula Badosa and Coco Gauff are set for a high-stakes semifinal clash at the 2024 China Open. Badosa will be looking to reach her second hard court final of the season, having already made it to the final at the Citi Open. She won that title, beating Marie Bouzková in three sets in the final. The Spaniard holds a solid 38-16 win-loss record for the year, showing consistency across tournaments.
Gauff enters the match after winning the ASB Classic and carrying an impressive 49-15 record this season. She has been one of the most consistent players in 2024, showcasing her ability to compete at the highest level. Both players have performed well throughout the year, making this a much-anticipated semifinal matchup.
Paula Badosa vs Coco Gauff: Tournament Preview
Paula Badosa has yet to lose a set in the China Open, moving through her matches with control and precision. She defeated Viktoriya Tomova 6-3, 6-2 in her first round and overcame Rebecca Šramková 7-5, 7-5 in the next match. Her most commanding win came against Jessica Pegula, whom she beat 6-4, 6-0. The Manhattan native then advanced past Zhang Shuai 6-1, 7-6 in the quarterfinals. Throughout this year’s tournament, the Spaniard has lost fewer games than Gauff, reflecting her dominance.
Gauff has faced more difficulties in her journey to the semifinals. She defeated Clara Burel 7-5, 6-3 in her first match and Katie Boulter 7-5, 6-2 in the second. Against Naomi Osaka, the 20-year-old dropped the first set but fought back to win 3-6, 6-4, advancing on a walkover. In the quarterfinals, she dropped a set again, beating Yulia Starodubtsewa 2-6, 6-2, 6-2. The Atlanta native has shown resilience but has lost two sets in the tournament.
Moreover, Gauff is experiencing a transition in her game after partnering ways with Brad Gilbert. With the renowned tennis pundit, the American won the 2023 US Open and multiple major titles along the way. However, a catastrophic summer, in which she left Paris without any Olympic singles or doubles medals and crashed out of the US Open, left her with no choice.
Match Prediction
Badosa leads their head-to-head series 3-2, including a 2-1 edge on hard courts. The Spaniard also has confidence from her Citi Open victory earlier this season, while Gauff won their only meeting in 2024 at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome. Though the former World No. 1 doubles player is a strong competitor, the Manhattan native on current form, especially on hard courts, has been more consistent.
Given Badosa’s solid recent performances and her head-to-head advantage, she is slightly favored to win this match. The American needs to up her game looking at the performances of Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek this season. With Sabalenka losing to Karolina Muchova in the China Open quarterfinals, now is the time for the 20-year-old to make her mark. Gauff’s athleticism and tenacity will make it a competitive battle, but Badosa has the ability to maintain control in key moments could see her through in three sets to reach the China Open final.
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