midelee0404In a dramatic edge-of-your-seat showdown, at the 2025 China Open in Beijing, Coco Gauff edged past Leylah Fernandez in a hard-fought three-set battle, 6-4, 4-6, 7-5, to keep her title defense alive.
The match, which lasted about 2 hours and 45 minutes, was a testament to grit, momentum swings, and high-level shotmaking under pressure. From the outset, the match promised fireworks. The first set was tightly contested, with Gauff eking out a 6-4 win after seizing control at key junctures.
Fernandez, known for her tenacity and aggressive style, responded in the second set, pushing Gauff’s serve and capitalizing on a dip in first-serve consistency. She captured the second 6-4, forcing a decider.
The third set became a thrilling rollercoaster. Gauff, at one point, held a commanding 5-2 lead and even had a match point in her grasp. But Fernandez mounted a fierce comeback, saving that match point and leveling the score at 5-5.
The momentum could have shifted dramatically in Fernandez’s favor, but Gauff summoned her resilience and composure when it mattered most. She clinched the final two games to seal a memorable victory.
Statistically, the match had notable swings. Gauff’s first serve percentage reportedly dipped from around 75 percent to 53 percent in the second set, which allowed Fernandez opportunities to break. Gauff also committed nine double faults, an uncharacteristic number for her.
Despite these challenges, Gauff steadied herself in critical moments. For Fernandez, the performance should still be considered a breakthrough. She threatened to flip the script throughout the match, especially by applying pressure to Gauff’s serve in the decider and stepping up in the second set. Her ability to claw back from a match point down speaks to her fighting spirit and maturity.
In post-match reflections, Gauff praised Fernandez’s aggression and consistency, acknowledging that she wasn’t handed many free points. She also noted that the slow playing conditions made it harder for her typical heavy-ball style to penetrate Fernandez’s defenses. She said that fresh balls seemed to give her some edge in stretches, winning two or three games in a row when the ball quality was high.
This win carries deeper significance for Gauff’s campaign in Beijing. As the defending champion, she has now survived a formidable test in Leylah Fernandez and advanced to the third round. Her next opponent will be Belinda Bencic, who previously beat Priscilla Hon in a tight contest.
The head-to-head between Gauff and Bencic leans in Gauff’s favor (3–2 overall), though Bencic has shown she can rebound from early deficits.
In the broader context, this match is yet another chapter in the growing rivalry between two young, talented stars. Fernandez has been steadily improving and pushing top players more consistently, while Gauff continues to refine her game under pressure, learning to handle the ebbs and flows of dramatic matches. This victory will surely boost Gauff’s confidence and momentum as she aims to defend her title in Beijing.
Musa
John Owolabi