Day 6 Preview: Gauff takes on rising teen Sun

Coco Gauff knows what it’s like to burst onto the scene at a young age, stunning Venus Williams at Wimbledon in her WTA debut at just 15-years-old. The 22-year-old Gauff will take part in a similar story in the third round of the China Open, except now she is the veteran attempting to hold off 16-year-old Sun Xinran.

Sun has had immense success this year, making the finals in the juniors at Roland Garros and Wimbledon before securing the title in the US Open juniors. The Chinese up-and-comer has already made a splash in her WTA debut at the China Open with wins over Eva Lys and No. 27 seed Cristina Bucșa. But facing Gauff will certainly be her biggest test. And one sensational experience. 

Armed with a world-class backhand, Sun will be a force to be reckoned with, especially in front of her home crowd, but Gauff, the tournament’s No. 3 seed, is excited for their matchup and for Sun’s future on the tour.

“I think she is really promising,” Gauff said. “At 16, to be winning a junior slam, being able to compete in the biggest tournament probably so far of her career. I know she’s going to play great tennis against me.”

Joining the order of play for the start of the second week is Alina Charaeva, the Armenian who has already caused a sensation at the China Open.

Charaeva stunned Elena Rybakina 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the recently crowned US Open champion’s first match as the No. 1 player in the world. That result created a slice of history as it was just the second time since 1975 that a player lost their first match as No. 1. Charaeva also became the lowest-ranked woman to ever come back from a set down to beat a World No. 1.

The World No. 118 will hope to continue her Cinderella run as she takes on unseeded player in No. 129 Sonay Kartal.

Charaeva credits her mindset to helping her achieve the biggest win of her career, especially after dropping the first set. She was the lowest ranked player to come from a set down against the No. 1 ranked player.

“I think it’s just about believing,” Charaeva said. “I'm really happy to manage my emotions today and bring my best tennis tonight.”

Chareava will need to bring her best tennis again when taking on Kartal, who upset No. 31 seed Wang Xinyu in the second round. This tournament is Kartal’s first on the regular tour in six months, as the 24-year-old has been sidelined since March with a back injury.

Another crowd favorite, China’s Zheng Qinwen, will continue her run in Beijing against No. 18 seed Marie Bouzková. The 2024 Olympic Gold Medalist has been tested in back-to-back three-set matches but has reigned victorious, including a win over No. 15 seed Anna Kalinksaya.

Zheng has never faced Bouzková, but with her ranking on the rise after a successful US Open campaign, the 23-year-old hopes to continue her momentous run and rise back to the top of the rankings.

Also on Monday, No. 8 seed Iga Swiatek takes on No. 30 seed Donna Vekic. Swiatek leads their head-to-head 4-0, so the 2023 China Open champion will aim to continue her winning streak as she continues her quest to book her place in the WTA Finals for the sixth consecutive year.

By Ellis von Fintel and Maya Sabapathy