Coco Gauff is aiming to secure a late season push as she began her Beijing campaign with victory.
The American began her Beijing charge with a three set win over Camila Osorio in what was a tough match for Gauff.
Gauff secured a 7-6(4) 4-6 6-2 win to book her place in the third round where she could face Cristina Bucsa.
After the match Gauff spoke about the keys to victory and was happy to begin the Asian swing with victory, “I think just the reset in the third,” Gauff analysed to the WTA website about what pleased her the most.
“Honestly, I don’t know, there was a moment in the match I got really frustrated. I feel Camila is that type of player [who] can really frustrate you. I was able to rest for the third set, so just to be able to forget about the second set. I think this time of the year, it’s really a final push and I think today was a good match to start of the Asian Swing.”
As Gauff mentioned it is the ‘final push’ for players to gain ranking points or push for a place at the WTA Finals.
Elaborating on that Gauff detailed why it is such a crucial part of the season, “I just go into this swing always just trying to push,” Gauff said.
“This is the final push for the Finals, the final push of the year. Every match counts. Every match counts throughout the season, but even more so now I feel like. I think knowing that I have good results here in China maybe allows me to be more confident, especially when the matches get tough.”
There was also a dominant win for Iga Swiatek on Saturday as she Xinyu Gao 6-2 6-3 and takes on Donna Vekic in the third round.
Meanwhile, Elina Svitolina also progressed after a 1-6 6-4 6-2 win over doubles world number one Katerina Siniakova and will take on Maria Sakkari in the third round.
