Coco Gauff achieves unique career first as she breaks 14-year record following latest China Open heroics

Coco Gauff is into the China Open final after coming from behind yet again to beat Paula Badosa in three sets.

The 20-year-old won 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 on Saturday to set up a meeting against Karolina Muchova.

Gauff is looking to to win her second WTA Tour event of 2024 at the China OpenGetty

Gauff has lost the opening set in each of her last three matches in Beijing, before emerging victorious.

In doing so, it has seen her create a unique WTA Tour first by winning three consecutive draw games having trailed going into the second set.

She is the first woman to do so in WTA-1000 events since Iga Swiatek two years ago at the Indian Wells Open.

Meanwhile Gauff has become the youngest woman in 14 years to reach the China Open final.

Caroline Wozniacki was also 20 when she reached the final in 2010, where she beat Vera Zvonareva in three sets.

Gauff is now aiming to become the first American to triumph at the China Open since Serena Williams in 2013.

But while the youngster will surely be looking to emulate Williams’ stunning career, she has failed to come close to one of the 43-year-old’s records.

From Gauff’s first 100 WTA-1000 matches, she has come out on top on 67 occasions – 20 behind Williams – who has won the most out of any American.

Should Gauff scoop success at the China Open, it would be her second WTA Tour title in 2024 after winning the Auckland Open in January.

And it would be her first with new coach Matt Daly after recently parting ways with Brad Gilbert.

Gauff will face Karolina Muchova in the China Open final on SundayAFP

Gauff is fourth on the lift of Americans who have won the most from their first 100 WTA-1000 matches

One of Gauff’s key things from her Daly link-up was to eradicate so many double faults from her game having hit 19 in her US open fourth-round exit.

She has his 31 on her route to the China Open final, with 11 coming in her semi-final victory over Badosa.

But Gauff has stood by her decision to appoint Daly, as she said: “Obviously right now I’m very young.

“So I’m looking just for someone to help me develop in the long-term process, try to help make my game as complete as I can be.

“Yeah, for me, I mean, with the relationship, adding Matt to the team, we literally just started like two weeks ago, so really only had a week to work with training-wise, then we had to come to China and the tournament.”

She added: “We’re working on a lot of developmental things. He’s great. Obviously I still have JC [Jean-Christophe Faurel] on the team.

“For me, it was trying to find the mix of two people that work together well.

“So far, I mean, it’s obviously working result-wise. Just even behind the scenes and everything you guys don’t see, I think it’s great.

“I’m happy with my decision regardless if I lost first round or in a final this week.

“So yeah, I’m happy to have him on the team. I feel like he’s already making significant progress. Him and JC are working well.”