Zverev wins Beijing Opener, while Gauff starts the title defense

Alexander Zverev put Lorenzo Songo 6-4, 6: 3 with a dominant second set at the China Open on Friday when Coco GaISF started her offer for a repeat crown.

World number three Zverev, the second seed in Beijing, faces France’s Corentin Moutet.

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The German and songo went on foot for 50 minutes before Zverev converted a break around the 30-year-old Italian in the first set after a short back and forth on the net.

A self-confident Zverev won four games in a row in the second time to take the lead 5-1, and although the 44th place in the 44th place lasted a little longer, the 28-year-old completed the game at his first point.

Also in action at the Beijing ATP 500 event, Daniil Medwedev, defeated Cameron Norrie 6-3, 6-4.

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Medvedev scored nine aces for a place in the past 16 years and revenge his defeat against the British in Roland Garros in June.

“There were a few moments when I could be better, but I am satisfied with the general level of the game,” said the 18th Russian in place.

He said he improved even though he was still far from his best tennis.

“I had dedication, I always have, but maybe I didn’t do it right,” he said. “I am now trying to do that step by step.”

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The 29-year-old former world number one has followed his first title since 2023, but is faced with the strong competition in Beijing from Zverev and Italy’s Jannik sinner.

Medwedew is the next Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and the number of two sinners in the world will compete with the qualification game Terence Atmane from France.

– familiar soil –

In the women’s draw, the 21-year-old Gauff stormed aside the Russian Kamilla Rakhimova 6: 4, 6-0 to secure a place in the last 32.

“I think the way of thinking is a little different just because if you play well in a place, you have a lot of confidence,” said GaISF after the game.

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“When these difficult moments happen, they feel the familiarity of the conditions from previous years,” she said.

The defending Beijing Champion has carried out some games drawn to defeat the 89th Russian in her first appearance since the US Open.

An energetic gattuff broke early in the second set and worked hard to save break points over the frustrated but defiant 24-year-old Rakhimova in order to close the match without difficulty.

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“I expected it to be close,” said Gaufchülter reporters.

“She is a great player and achieved competition results in the last tournaments with the top players.

“I just found my rhythm and got into the river.”

The world number three from the United States will next compete against Canada’s Leylah Fernandez, who triumphed 6: 2, 6-0 against Greece’s Maria Sakkari.

Also in the next round is the American Amanda Anisimova, an American finalist who defeats the British Katie Boulter 6: 1, 6: 3.

The 24-year-old World No. Four Next plays the home favorite Zhang Shuai, who last year in Beijing as the then World No. 595.

MyA/ABS