Russian veronika kudermetova

China Open WTA: Coco Gauff prevailed over Clara Burel 7-5, 6-3 in her opening match while China's wildcard player Zhang Shuai stunned US Open semifinalist Emma Navarro in round two of the China Open here on Friday.

In her first match since a fourth-round loss to Emma Navarro in her US Open title defense, No.4 seed Gauff of the United States notched a 100-minute victory over World No.56 Burel of France. Gauff had to save a set point at 5-4 in the first set before triumphing.

Gauff will next face No.26 seed Katie Boulter of Great Britain in the Round of 32 on Sunday. Boulter defeated Gauff's fellow American Taylor Townsend 6-4, 6-4 on Friday. Gauff and Boulter have split their two previous meetings, with Boulter winning in three sets at WTA 500 Melbourne in 2021, and Gauff taking a straight-sets win at WTA 1000 Montreal last year.