Naomi Osaka is set for a showdown with Coco Gauff in the China Open last 16 after defeating Katie Volynets. The world number two, Aryna Sabalenka, also advanced to the next round with a win against Ashlyn Krueger. Osaka described her upcoming match against Gauff as a battle and is confident in her aggressive playing style. She is playing her first tournament under Patrick Mouratoglou and is a former number one with four major wins.
Osaka has had some struggles since returning to tennis after the birth of her daughter and is currently ranked 73rd in the world. Despite this, she is a former winner in Beijing and feels comfortable playing on the hard courts in China. Gauff, the 2023 New York champion, also secured her spot in the last 16 with a victory over Katie Boulter. She is seeded fourth and has played Osaka four times before, with both players winning twice.
Sabalenka, the current US Open champion, had a strong start in Beijing and is known for her dominance on hard courts. She emphasized the importance of controlling her emotions on the court. Sabalenka’s success on hard courts is evident from her 14 out of 16 titles coming on this surface. Iga Swiatek, the top-ranked player, is not participating in the Beijing Open due to personal matters.
Overall, the China Open last 16 is filled with top players like Osaka, Gauff, and Sabalenka. The matches are bound to be intense as these players battle it out for a spot in the later rounds. Fans can expect high-quality tennis and fierce competition from some of the best players in the world. Osaka’s clash with Gauff is particularly anticipated as they have a history of close matches. Sabalenka will be looking to continue her winning streak and assert her dominance on the hard courts.
