‘Draining’ few days for Gauff after online racist abuse

Coco Gauff experienced a "draining" few days following a barrage of racist abuse online before her fourth-round exit at the China Open. The American received a substantial number of racist messages and comments following her third-round win over 16-year-old Sun Xinran. Sun mistakenly believed she had hit a winning shot in the first set, but Gauff intervened due to an errant light in the court's side panels.

After a video review, the point was replayed, with Gauff winning and proceeding to win the match 6-3, 6-3. Gauff expressed the toll the abuse had taken on her in a statement, stating that she "just turn off my phone and move on. There's nothing you can do." The Women's Tennis Association condemned the abuse and stated they were offering their full support to Gauff, seeking action against the abusive content.

Gauff, who won Beijing 2024, committed 34 unforced errors and served eight double faults against Belgian Elise Mertens in the quarter-finals. Mertens went on to face former world number one Iga Swiatek in the next round after defeating American teenager Iva Jovic 6-1, 6-3. Meanwhile, Britain's Arthur Fery outplayed sixth-seeded Marin Cilic 7-6 (7-2), 6-1 in the Shanghai Masters first round, marking his first ATP Tour win since August. Fery will next face Russia's Karen Khachanov.