Coco Gauff continues her impressive run, reaching her first WTA Tour semi-final since her triumphant victory at the French Open in June. The world No. 3 secured this milestone following a dominant 6-3, 6-4 victory over Eva Lys at the China Open, demonstrating her commitment to a successful title defense. Gauff's most recent significant achievement prior to this was reaching the quarter-finals in Cincinnati, a performance that highlighted her potential, though unfortunately, she faced early exits at Wimbledon, losing in the first round, and the US Open, where she was eliminated in the last 16. Now, at 21 years old, Gauff stands as the highest-ranked player remaining in the draw, capitalizing on the unexpected exits of world No. 3 Iga Swiatek and the absence of top contender Aryna Sabalenka. She is poised to face either Jasmine Paoini or Amanda Anisimova in the semi-final, striving for a third WTA 1000 title – a testament to her consistent performance at the highest level of the sport.

Gauff’s recent success echoes her victory at the China Open last year, where she defeated Karolina Muchová, marking her first 1000 trophy win in Cincinnati in August 2023. This impressive run showcases her ability to perform under pressure and against established players. Elsewhere in the draw, Great Britain’s Sonay Kartal is also making waves, preparing to take on Linda Noskova in her quarter-final on Friday (approximately 8am UK time). Kartal’s journey to the quarter-finals has been equally remarkable, culminating in a hard-fought victory over two-time WTA 1000 winner and world No. 5 Mirra Andreeva in three sets. The 23-year-old has risen to British No. 2 in the live rankings, surpassing Katie Boulter, and her impressive form has been evident throughout the China Open, highlighted by a dominant 6-3, 6-0 win over 14th seed Daria Kasatkina in the second round.

Kartal’s campaign has been characterized by impressive consistency, having not dropped a set in her first three matches before a challenging encounter with Andreeva, ultimately winning 7-5, 2-6, 7-5 in two hours and 25 minutes. This victory demonstrated her resilience and ability to adapt to different playing styles. Fans can watch the ATP and WTA Tours live on Sky Sports or stream contract-free with NOW. Don't miss the action and upcoming matches, including the latest tennis scores and detailed schedules.