Gauff wins first match as a Grand Slam champion to advance at China Open
The American was appearing for the first time since winning the US Open title last month
(Chryslene Caillaud / Panoramic)
American Coco Gauff, the No 3 seed, enjoyed a successful return to action in her first match as a Grand Slam champion, beating Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova 7-5, 6-3 in the first round of the China Open on Monday.
The US Open champion, ranked No 3, came through an up and down first set before easing through the second to set up a clash with Croatia’s Petra Martic.
Gauff extends winning streak to 13
The American was broken twice in the first set but once she had taken it 7-5, she moved through the gears, saving both break points she faced in the second as she wrapped up a good win.
The victory extended her winning streak to 13 matches, making it 19 wins out of 20 since she lost in the first round at Wimbledon in July.
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