World · Singapore Bureau
Gauff ousted from China Open as Mertens advances in Beijing
Third-seeded American Coco Gauff has been eliminated from the China Open after a straight-sets loss to Belgium's Elise Mertens in the Round of 16. Gauff attributed her defeat to a taxing stretch of days leading into the match.
LSN Singapore ·
Gauff fell 6-3, 6-3 to Mertens in Wednesday's encounter at the Beijing tournament, bringing her campaign to an early end. The American third seed struggled to find her rhythm against the Belgian competitor, who controlled proceedings throughout the match.
Following the loss, Gauff acknowledged that the demands of recent days had taken their toll. The 20-year-old offered no excuses but made clear that the physical and mental strain had affected her performance on court.
Mertens' victory sends the Belgian into the quarterfinals of the China Open, one of the region's premier tennis tournaments. The result marks a significant upset of seeding, as Gauff had entered the competition among the favorites.
The early exit leaves Gauff with work to do as she looks to regain momentum in the final stretch of the professional tennis season.