Iga Swiatek, world number two, cruised into the China Open women’s final with a one-sided victory over Coco Gauff on Saturday in Beijing, handing the American her first defeat in 17 matches.
Swiatek defeated the US Open winner 6-2, 6-3 to set up a match against Liudmila Samsonova on Sunday.
The Pole took the lead early in the first set and never let an error-plagued, wounded Gauff get back into the match.
Swiatek quickly gained a double break of serve and sealed the first set when Gauff smashed a forehand into the net.
The four-time Grand Slam champion broke again in the first game of set two before the match was called off when Gauff underwent treatment for a right shoulder issue.
Swiatek then started up where she left off and secured the victory with yet another forehand into the net.
“I feel like I’m playing less aggressively than past tournaments, and more solidly… I’m making less mistakes than I did before,” Swiatek said at a news conference after the match.
“Playing against Coco is tough because she’s really good at keeping the initiative, but she can also play great in defence,” she said.
“You have to really be patient and ready for her to fight for everything… when I felt like the moment was right to push and play faster, I did.”
Gauff had not lost a match since falling to compatriot Jessica Pegula in Montreal in August.
“I was feeling (the injury) in the first set,” Gauff said after the match.
“It’s definitely a new experience. I’m not used to playing with pain in general,” she told reporters.
“When you’re experiencing pain… your whole mind starts (thinking), ‘Is it serious? Should I keep playing or not?’”
In the other semi-final, Samsonova upset world number five Rybakina with a 7-6 (9/7), 6-3 victory.
On Friday, Rybakina defeated top-ranked women’s player and tournament favorite Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets.
But she faltered against Samsonova, the Russian ranked 22nd, adding to a long list of tournament victories that includes two-time Grand Slam champion Petra Kvitova.
The China Open is being held for the first time since Beijing reversed its isolationist zero-Covid policy in 2019.
On Wednesday, Italy’s Jannik Sinner defeated world number three Daniil Medvedev in the final of the men’s competition.