Anisimova crushed defending champion Coco Gauff in China Open semis

Amanda Anisimova, in an eye-catchingly lopsided match-up, gave a thoroughly complete title defense by Coco Gauff on Saturday in China with a 6-1, 6-2 semifinal triumph, which took 58 minutes.

Third-seeded Anisimova had been devastating, however, and she crushed her fellow American and current French Open champion with an almost flawless display. Within 15 minutes, she raced to a 5-0 lead in the first set leaving the second-seated Gauff stunned. The dominance and strength of Anisimova rests on her great and accurate game, with the loss of only five points in her first serve during the match.

I managed to perform very well, said Anisimova afterwards. I knew that I had to play extremely well against Coco in case I was going to secure the victory, and I am very excited to be in the final.

In the case of Gauff, the game was a challenge throughout. Five double faults and a murder of inadvertent errors were haunting her, as she could never find her rhythm and could never challenge greatly. This was her first loss ever on the center court of Beijing, having lost to Iga Swiatek in the 2023 semifinals, which she did again.

This impressive victory takes Anisimova to her first final of the China Open where she is to face either a compatriot, Jessica Pegula, or a Czech, Linda Noskova. It is also the third WTA 1000 final of her outstanding season which has seen her rise to the world number four and reaching the next WTA Finals.