Coco Gauff was near the cusp of going out of the China Open Saturday, as Paula Badosa had her grip on their semifinal in Beijing.
But a key stretch of more assertive play from Gauff and an abrupt dip by her opponent saw the No. 4 seed turn the tables for a 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory. The reward for Gauff is a first final appearance since beginning her 2024 season with a title defense in Auckland.
"I always grew up on the philosophy that the second set is the most important set, which it is because you either win the match or you stay in the match with that set," Gauff told press. "I'd rather be able to raise my level in the second set than kind of crash after the first."