Coco Gauff defeats on form Veronika Kudermetova to move into China Open quarter-final

The world number three navigated a tense last 16 opening set before marching onto a 7-6(5), 6-2 win over the Russian, who had come into the tournament on the back of winning her second WTA singles title at the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. 

In addition, 19-year-old Gauff went into the record books again as she became the youngest American player to reach the quarter-finals of the China Open.

"She (Kudermetova) was playing some really good tennis," said Gauff.

"I think she was striking the ball well and returning well. Then I was able to raise my game and keep going after the first set."

The wins continue to roll ?@CocoGauff reels off a 15th straight victory, defeating Tokyo champion Kudermetova, 7-6(5), 6-2.#ChinaOpen pic.twitter.com/sYFcjRmY1C

— wta (@WTA) October 5, 2023

The victory was the American's 15th in a row on the tour, which is the longest streak on the WTA Tour this year.

Gauff is currently second on the top-earning female tennis stars list for 2023, with $5,557,372. World number one Belarusian 25-year-old Aryna Sabalenka currently sits at the top of the list, having raked in $7,369,635.

The teenager will face the winner between world number six Greece star Maria Sakkari, 28, and host nation player Xinyu Wang, 22, in the quarter-final round at the China Open.

Meanwhile, earlier in the day, current WTA Finals French champion Caroline Garcia, 29, booked her place in the last eight by beating Anhelina Kalinina 6-3, 6-2 and will face second seed Polish 22-year-old star Iga Swiatek.

READ MORE: Jannik Sinner outclasses Daniil Medvedev to win China Open