Overview

• Coco Gauff beat Kamilla Rakhimova 6-4, 6-0 to reach the last 32 as she begins her China Open title defense.
• Gauff saved all 10 break points she faced, including eight in the first set, and converted four of nine break chances.
• Next up is Canada’s Leylah Fernandez, who defeated Maria Sakkari 6-2, 6-0; Gauff leads their head-to-head 2-0.
• Off court, Gauff confirmed she signed a top-players’ letter seeking to raise Grand Slam revenue shares from about 16% to 22% by 2030 and to fund roughly $12 million annually for pensions, health and maternity benefits, saying the goal is to help players across the top 200–300.
• With Aryna Sabalenka out of Beijing, coverage identifies world No. 2 Iga Swiatek as a primary contender in the draw.