BEIJING (AFP) – Coco Gauff survived a scare to beat Ukrainian qualifier Yuliia Starodubtseva in three sets and reach the China Open semi-finals on Thursday. The 2023 US Open champion will face Paula Badosa after the Spaniard ended the fairytale run of China's 595th-ranked Zhang Shuai in straight sets.

Gauff will next play Paula Badosa of Spain, who earlier ended local wild card Zhang Shuai's unexpected run at the title.

Fourth-seeded Coco Gauff overcame a sluggish start to record a 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 win over Ukrainian qualifier Yuliia Starodubtseva 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 in their quarterfinal match of the China Open on Thursday in Beijing.