China Open: Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff into quarter-final after smooth victories

Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff have reached the last eight of the China Open with straight-set wins over their opponents.

World number one Sabalenka outclassed Paolini, who is the world number 36 6-4 7-6 (7-4).

Following the victory, the reigning Australia Open champion will face last year’s Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the quarter-finals.

In the same vein, US Open champion Coco Gauff, who beat Sabalenka in the US Open final last month, also progressed to the quarter finals.

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The 19-year-old saved four set points to overcome Veronika Kudermetova 7-6 (7-5) 6-2. It is Gauff’s 15th successive win. That is also the longest winning run of any player on the WTA Tour this year.

Gauff’s run surpasses that of Polish world number two Iga Swiatek’s run of 14 victories which came earlier this year.

The last time the American lost a match was in Montreal in August against compatriot Jessica Pegula. Gauff’s winning sequence includes a first WTA 1000 title in Cincinnati and a maiden Grand Slam title – the U.S Open.

In her 11th quarter-final appearance of the year, Gauff will play Maria Sakkari. The Greek sixth seed defeated China’s Wang Xinyu 6-4 2-6 6-3.

Interestingly, Gauff and Sakkari are no new foesto each other. Both met in the final of the Cincinnati Masters where the teenager emerged victorious.

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Also, French player Caroline Garcia will battle four-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek in the quarter-final.