By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday September 30, 2023
Coco Gauff is set to play her first matches since winning the US Open title on September 10th in Bejing, and the World No.3 is ready and motivated to continue progressing.
“I think maybe because my eagerness and my ambition is so high, I don’t want to end at just one [Slam],” Gauff said, according to WTA Insider. “I don’t feel any different. The first couple days I did, then once I got home, I was like, ‘OK, it’s back to normal.'”
The 19-year-old American, who became the youngest American to win the US Open title since Serena Williams in 1999 when she topped Aryna Sabalenka in the final at Flushing Meadows, will encounter a difficult test out of the gate in Beijing.
Gauff has been drawn to face Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia, and could face Petra Martic in the second round. The American has been drawn into Iga Swiatek’s half of the draw but would not face the four-time Grand Slam champion until the semifinal.
Swiatek opens against Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo.
See the full China Open draw below:
Because we haven’t posted this yet, here is the stacked WTA draw in Beijing… Last 1000 of the WTA season here we go! pic.twitter.com/PorhAwDPCI
— TennisNow (@Tennis_Now) September 30, 2023
The third-seeded American is looking forward to kick-starting the remainder of her season, as she sets her sights on more big achievements.
“I know I have lots of tennis left in me. I don’t want to just dwell on this. It was amazing, but it’s time to move on,” she said.
Sabalenka in tough top quarter
In her first tournament as World No.1, Aryna Sabalenka anchors the top quarter of the draw, which also features fifth-seeded Elena Rybakina. The Belarusian will face American Sofia Kenin in a tricky first-rounder.
The #ChinaOpen main draw begins in Beijing on Saturday! ?
We’ve got you covered with everything you need to know going into the last WTA 1000 event of the season ?
— wta (@WTA) September 29, 2023
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