Progressing at the China Open is Coco Gauff. Alcaraz and Medvedev make headway.
In her first match since the U.S. Open on Friday, Coco Gauff defeated Clara Burel 7-5, 6-3 to advance to the third round of the China Open.
The No. 6-ranked Gauff, who saved a set point when trailing 5-4 in the first set, will play Katie Boulter of Britain, who advanced by beating American Taylor Townsend 6-4, 6-4.
Gauff is playing in Beijing after her recent split from coach Brad Gilbert after more than a year and one Grand Slam title together. That break-up came shortly after Gauff’s defense of the U.S. Open championship she won in 2023 ended in a fourth round loss against Emma Navarro.
Earlier, No. 3-ranked Carlos Alcaraz withstood a heavy barrage from big-serving Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard to win 6-4, 6-4 in his opening match.
Second-seeded Alcaraz took both of his break point opportunities, despite the No. 51-ranked Frenchman regularly sending down 140 mph (225 kph) serves.
Mpetshi Perricard won 83% of the points behind his first serve but gave up costly errors at the beginning of each set, which Alcaraz was wily enough to capitalize on.
“The plan was just to put as many returns in as I can,” Alcaraz said. “Honestly it wasn’t easy. He’s a really powerful player. Big serve, big shots from the baseline. So I had to be really focused.”
Daniil Medvedev safely navigated a tricky first outing, 6-3, 6-4 against French veteran Gael Monfils.
Roman Safiullin, who made the main draw as a lucky loser in qualifying, beat three-time major winner Stan Wawrinka 6-3, 6-4 and will face top-ranked Jannik Sinner.
Sixth-seeded Lorenzo Musetti and seventh-seeded Karen Khachanov also advanced.
In the women’s draw, second-seeded Jessica Pegula opened her account by beating Diane Parry of France 6-1, 7-6 (4).
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