The China Open women’s singles final is set in Beijing, and what a journey it’s been to get here. On Saturday, October 4, 2025, Amanda Anisimova delivered a masterclass in power and precision, sweeping aside defending champion Coco Gauff 6-1, 6-2 in a semifinal that lasted just 58 minutes. The result not only ended Gauff’s title defense but also underscored Anisimova’s remarkable run in 2025—a season already highlighted by runner-up finishes at both Wimbledon and the US Open.
From the first ball, Anisimova, the third seed and world No. 4, took control. She stormed to a 5-0 lead in both sets, leaving Gauff, the world No. 3 and second seed, scrambling to avoid the dreaded bagel. Gauff managed to get on the scoreboard in each set, but the damage had been done. Anisimova’s aggressive returning and relentless baseline play broke Gauff’s serve five times out of seven attempts. The numbers told a stark story: Gauff won just 30 of the 89 points played—barely 34 percent—while her serve, a persistent talking point this season, faltered again. Despite landing 64% of her first serves, Gauff claimed only 39% of those points, and her second serve woes continued as she won just 38% while double-faulting five times.
After the match, Anisimova beamed with satisfaction. “I feel, like, I felt really good throughout the whole match. Like all my shots were working today, which is like my favourite way to play. I didn’t really have to adjust much. So yeah, I was just really happy with my performance. Coco is a really tough player. I knew I was going to have to really step it up today. But, yeah, overall really pleased with my performance. Just happy to be in the final,” she told reporters, her delight evident.
For Gauff, the disappointment was clear, but so was her resolve. “Yeah, overall a positive tournament,” Gauff said. “I had a great time here, on and off the court. Yeah, disappointing. I felt pretty good going out there today. I don’t know, I was practising great. I just went on court and she completely took over. So yeah, I think there’s a lot of learning experiences. I know what I need to do against players like her in the future. Now it’s all about going back to practice, and trying to implement those things.”
Anisimova’s victory marked her second win over Gauff in three career meetings, improving her head-to-head record to 2-1. More impressively, she became only the third American to reach the China Open women’s singles final, joining legends Serena Williams (2004, 2013) and Coco Gauff herself (2024). This year, Anisimova has the unique distinction of being the only player to defeat Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and Gauff—a trio of the sport’s most formidable stars.
Her opponent in Sunday’s final will be 20-year-old Czech sensation Linda Noskova, seeded 26th and making history of her own. Noskova emerged from a dramatic, two-hour and 28-minute semifinal against fifth-seeded Jessica Pegula, winning 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(6). The young Czech saved three match points in a nerve-jangling final set tiebreak, showing nerves of steel and a fighting spirit that’s defined her breakout season.
“Honestly, I don’t even know about the final, I’m just so glad I won today. It was quite a tough match, mentally and physically,” Noskova said after her victory. She frustrated Pegula in the opening set, dropped the second as her level dipped, and then went toe-to-toe in a third set that saw both players struggle to hold serve. Pegula appeared to have the match in her grasp, leading 6-5 and serving for victory, but Noskova refused to yield. She forced a tiebreak and, despite trailing 3-1, clawed her way back to claim a famous win as Pegula’s backhand return landed wide on match point.
Noskova’s run to the final is historic. At just 20, she’s the youngest Czech player to reach a WTA 1000 semifinal since the format’s introduction in 2009, and now she’s set for the biggest final of her career. Her 2025 season has been a revelation: she leads the tour in match wins in Asia with 13, one more than world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, and earlier lifted her maiden WTA title in Monterrey in 2024. Sunday’s showdown will be her second career meeting with Anisimova; she won their first clash at Indian Wells in 2023, but lost to the American on grass in Eastbourne this past summer.
For Anisimova, Sunday’s final represents a chance to add a second WTA 1000 title to her growing resume after her breakthrough in Doha earlier this year. She’s also aiming to reverse her fortunes in WTA 1000 finals, having finished runner-up in her previous two appearances. “I love playing here,” Anisimova said. “The crowd support has been so amazing since the first day that I got here, and I really think that’s carried me through this entire tournament. So hopefully everyone can come out and support me again in the final.”
Noskova, meanwhile, is relishing her underdog status. Her victory over Pegula was the latest in a string of gritty performances that have seen her outlast and outfight more experienced opponents. The Czech’s ability to save match points and stay mentally tough under pressure bodes well for her future on the tour. “It was quite a tough match, mentally and physically,” she admitted, still absorbing the magnitude of her achievement.
As for Gauff, the defeat will sting, especially given her recent efforts to overhaul her serve with the help of biomechanical expert Gavin MacMillan. The American star replaced her former coach Matt Daly ahead of the US Open, hoping to iron out technical issues that have plagued her game. While the changes have yet to yield the desired results, Gauff remains optimistic about her development and determined to bounce back stronger.
With the final set for Sunday, October 5, all eyes will be on Beijing’s National Tennis Center as Amanda Anisimova and Linda Noskova vie for one of the season’s most prestigious titles. Will Anisimova’s experience and firepower prevail, or can Noskova’s youthful resilience deliver a fairy-tale finish? Tennis fans won’t want to miss a moment as two of the sport’s brightest talents go head-to-head for China Open glory.
