Amanda Anisimova delivered a stunning display to demolish defending champion Coco Gauff 6-1 6-2 in the China Open semi-finals on Saturday.
The third seed required merely 58 minutes to dispatch her fellow American and secure her place in Sunday's championship match.
The 24-year-old produced a masterclass in Beijing, overwhelming the second seed with aggressive tennis from the outset.
Gauff, who claimed French Open glory earlier this year, found herself completely outplayed as Anisimova stormed through to her second WTA 1000 final of 2025.
Amanda Anisimova delivered a stunning display to demolish defending champion Coco Gauff 6-1 6-2 in the China Open semi-finals on Saturday
|REUTERS
The comprehensive and fast nature of the defeat marked a crushing end to Gauff's title defence in the Chinese capital.
Anisimova's serving proved almost untouchable throughout the encounter, dropping just five points behind her first delivery.
Amanda Anisimova continued her run in the China Open
|REUTERS
The world No3 seized control immediately, capturing the opening five games in a relentless start.
Her dominance continued throughout the second set, where she again established a commanding 5-0 advantage.
Though Gauff managed to claim two games late in each set, preventing a double bagel, she never threatened to mount a genuine comeback.
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The reigning champion's performance was riddled with errors, including five double faults. Her groundstrokes consistently found the net or sailed long, leaving her unable to cope with Anisimova's sustained pressure.
Anisimova has achieved a remarkable feat this season, becoming the only player to defeat all three of the world's top-ranked stars - Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek and now Gauff.
"I was able to put on a really good performance," Anisimova said. "I knew I was going to have to play really well against Coco if I wanted to get the win and I'm really excited to be in the final."
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For Gauff, the defeat represented only her second loss on Beijing's main court, with her previous semi-final exit coming against Iga Swiatek in 2023.
The American appeared unsettled from the beginning, struggling to find any rhythm against Anisimova's relentless assault.
Anisimova's path to the title will see her face either fifth seed Jessica Pegula or Czech player Linda Noskova in the final. The championship match represents her third career WTA 1000 final appearance.
The American praised the Beijing crowd's support, adding: "I've been saying every time I've walked on court and won my match that I love playing here and the crowd support has been so amazing since the first day I got here."
Having reached consecutive finals following her runner-up finish at the US Open, Anisimova has established herself as one of the tour's most formidable competitors this season.