Coco Gauff officially qualified for the 2025 WTA Finals after a dramatic fourth-round win over Belinda Bencic at the China Open.
Gauff becomes the third woman to join the eight-player tournament at the end of the season in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The American will have the chance to defend her title after winning the tournament for the first time last year and taking home a then-record prize money amount. She joins Aryna Sabalenka, who became the first player to qualify for year-end championships, and 2023 champion Iga Swiatek.
Gauff survives another thriller in Beijing to qualify for the WTA Finals
Gauff has survived a couple of tense three-set matches in Beijing to keep her title defense alive. She beat Leylah Fernandez in almost three hours in the third round and then came back from a set and a break down to defeat Belinda Bencic 4-6 7-6 6-2 and book her spot in the quarterfinals.
With Gauff’s qualification in Riyadh secured, at least three more Americans could join the field at the season finale. Amanda Anisimova is next in line. She is fourth in the race with 5028 points. Anisimova needs 322 points to meet the current cut-off mark, although that tally will only get lower depending on how the other contenders in the race fare. Anisimova can qualify if she makes the final in Beijing, although a semifinal showing could suffice.
Madison Keys’ withdrawal from Beijing could come at a cost, as she may be overtaken by Jessica Pegula and Mirra Andreeva, who are still in the tournament. But Keys’ status as a Grand Slam champion after winning this year’s Australian Open will likely be sufficient to earn her a spot in the final eight.
Jasmine Paolini (scheduled to face Marie Bouzkova on Tuesday) is the only player who can enter the Top 8 race after Beijing. The Italian is currently in ninth spot and can move above Elena Rybakina, who suffered a shock exit at the hands of Eva Lys earlier in the tournament.
The 2025 WTA Finals will commence on November 1st.
Main Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
