Overview

• The defending champion edged Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 4-6, 7-5, sealing the decider with a break in the 12th game after the Canadian saved a match point earlier.
• Gauff’s serve wobbled throughout, with nine double faults and only about 37% of second‑serve points won, and she was broken seven times.
• Belinda Bencic awaits in the round of 16, confirming the next step in Gauff’s title defense in Beijing.
• According to OptaAce, the win marked Gauff’s 150th WTA‑level hard‑court victory, and she also reiterated support for players seeking improved Grand Slam prize‑money distribution.
• Elsewhere at the event, Germany’s Eva Lys upset No. 10 Elena Rybakina, and Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti issued an on‑court apology to fans following an earlier outburst.