In a stunning turn of events at the China Open in Beijing, Amanda Anisimova delivered a commanding performance to oust defending champion Coco Gauff 6-1, 6-2 in the semifinals, marking one of the most dominant wins of her already impressive 2025 season. The match, played on the high-bouncing Diamond Court, saw Anisimova seize control from the opening game, leaving Gauff searching for answers in a contest that lasted just 58 minutes.
Anisimova, currently ranked world number four, has been on a tear this season, reaching the finals at both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. Her victory over Gauff not only propelled her into her second WTA 1000 final of the year but also underscored her emergence as a mainstay among the sport's elite. With this win, Anisimova improved her 2025 record to 44-16 and set up a championship showdown against Czech rising star Linda Noskova.
"I was able to put on a really good performance," Anisimova said after the match. "I knew I was going to have to play really well against Coco if I wanted to get the win and I'm really excited to be in the final." Her aggressive baseline play and tactical awareness were on full display, as she dropped just five points on her first serve and broke Gauff in five out of eight opportunities. The American’s ability to dictate rallies kept Gauff on the defensive, unable to establish any rhythm.
Gauff, who entered the match with a 42-13 season record and high expectations after a strong run in Beijing, was visibly frustrated by the third game of the second set. She managed only two aces against five double faults and landed just 38 percent of her first serves, a statistic that proved crucial in her inability to mount a comeback. The defending champion was candid in her post-match assessment: "She played well. I felt like I couldn't really have a chance of getting a rhythm out there. But a learning experience for the next time." Gauff went on to praise her opponent, stating, "I mean, she's definitely one of the best out of those I've played. Yeah, for sure, she and Aryna [Sabalenka] are tough when they're playing that level of tennis."
The match was a showcase of Anisimova’s strengths and Gauff’s vulnerabilities. From the outset, Anisimova jumped out to 5-0 leads in both sets, leveraging the court’s high bounce to keep the ball in her preferred strike zone. Gauff, known for her defensive prowess and ability to absorb pace, found herself unable to redirect Anisimova’s relentless attacks. Even attempts to adjust her serve tactics—targeting wide serves to Anisimova’s forehand and body serves to jam her opponent—yielded little success. Anisimova was quick to adapt, stepping around returns and sending them deep into the corners, forcing Gauff into uncomfortable positions.
Statistically, the numbers painted a clear picture. Gauff won only 38 percent of points on her first serve, while Anisimova lost just five points on hers. The disparity in serve effectiveness allowed Anisimova to control the third-ball exchanges, often finishing points quickly with powerful groundstrokes. Gauff’s five double faults and a slew of unforced errors further compounded her difficulties, as Anisimova maintained a stranglehold on the match’s tempo.
For Gauff, the loss was particularly bitter given her prior success on Beijing’s main court. Her only previous defeat there had come in the 2023 semifinals against Iga Swiatek. This time, however, she was unable to replicate the resilience that has defined her rise in women’s tennis. "I felt like today, no matter what I did, I just couldn't get into the match. So yeah, I'm going to take this and learn from it," Gauff admitted. Despite the setback, she remains focused on the future, with the Wuhan Open on the horizon. "Now it's all about going back to practice and trying to implement those things," she said, looking ahead to the main draw that begins on Monday, October 6.
Anisimova’s path to the final wasn’t the only storyline in Beijing. Earlier in the tournament, Jessica Pegula became the third American to reach the semifinals after a gritty win over Emma Navarro, rallying from a set down to prevail 6-7 (2), 6-2, 6-1. Pegula’s run, however, came to a dramatic halt in the semifinals against Linda Noskova. The 20-year-old Czech, who has made history as the youngest from her country to reach a WTA 1000 final since the format’s inception in 2009, saved three match points before ousting Pegula 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (8-6). Pegula served for the match at 6-5 in the third set but couldn’t close it out, as Noskova forced a deciding tiebreak and eventually sealed victory on a Pegula error.
Noskova’s breakthrough has been one of the tournament’s most compelling narratives. She entered the semifinals after defeating Britain’s Sonay Kartal and has now set up a title clash with Anisimova. The Czech’s resilience—saving match points and holding her nerve in the deciding tiebreak—signals the arrival of a new contender on the WTA stage. Noskova’s run to the final has also drawn comparisons to the emergence of other young talents who have shaken up the women’s game in recent years.
As for Anisimova, her performance in Beijing has further solidified her status as a force in women’s tennis. This season, she has not only reached multiple finals but has also qualified for the season-ending WTA Finals for the first time in her career. Her blend of power, precision, and growing mental fortitude has made her a formidable opponent, regardless of the surface or conditions.
The China Open final, set for Sunday, October 5, promises a fascinating contest between two players at very different stages of their careers. Anisimova, with her experience and recent big-match pedigree, will enter as the favorite. Yet Noskova’s fearless approach and recent heroics suggest she won’t be overawed by the occasion. Tennis fans around the world will be watching closely to see if Anisimova can cap her stellar season with another WTA 1000 title or if Noskova can complete her fairytale run with a breakthrough victory.
With the dust settling on a dramatic semifinal round, attention now turns to the championship match. Will Anisimova’s aggressive play and experience carry her to the trophy, or will Noskova’s youthful momentum produce another surprise in Beijing? The answer awaits on Diamond Court, where a new China Open champion will soon be crowned.
