China Open: Gauff battles through, Zhang falls to Anisimova

Zhuang Shuai hits a return during the women's singles third round match between Zhang Shuai of China and Amanda Anisimova of the United States at 2025 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, China, Sept. 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Xin Mengchen)

Second seed Coco Gauff defeated Leylah Fernandez to advance in the women's singles of the China Open on Sunday.

Gauff took two hours and 45 minutes to secure the 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 victory and made the round of 16.

"I played Leylah earlier this year, and I knew it was going to be a tougher match today because I felt like she was playing some really good tennis. She had a solid win against Maria, and she was in great form in DC. I knew she would approach this match differently. I had to adjust, but I'm happy to have gotten through," Gauff said after the match.

"I think I wish I had been more aggressive at times. I could tell she stepped up her aggressiveness in the second set. In that 3-2 game with the break points, I should have hit the ball deeper and maybe tried to open up the court more," she added.

36-year-old Chinese veteran Zhang Shuai fell to third seed Amanda Anisimova, who won 7-6 (11), 6-0. The first set saw a dramatic and lengthy tiebreak, while Anisimova dominated the second set, taking control with a commanding performance.

In other women's singles results, Italy's Jasmine Paolini defeated American Sofia Kenin 6-3, 6-0, while Eva Lys caused an upset by defeating Elena Rybakina 6-3, 1-6, 6-4.

Belinda Bencic made a comeback to beat Australia's Priscilla Hon 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, and Marie Bouzkova triumphed 6-3, 7-5 over Veronika Kudermetova.

Due to injury, Paula Badosa withdrew, allowing Karolina Muchova to advance with ease.

In the men's singles, Alexander Zverev defeated Corentin Moutet 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 on the Diamond Court. Daniil Medvedev beat Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-3, 6-3 in just 84 minutes.

Italy's Lorenzo Musetti secured his spot in the last eight with a straight-set win over French qualifier Adrian Mannarino 6-3, 6-3, while Learner Tien dominated Italy's Flavio Cobolli 6-3, 6-2 to secure his first ATP 500 quarterfinal berth.