In the buzzing heart of Beijing, two superstars of the WTA collide on the hard courts of the China Open. Coco Gauff, the defending champion, is all set to face the German underdog, Eva Lys, in the QF of the 2025 China Open. Lys’ fearless tennis has turned heads this season, and it’s needless to mention that we’re yet again going to see two extremely talented women bringing out their A-game in this epic duel.

Coco Gauff vs Eva Lys: Preview

Coco Gauff’s journey to the QF has been marked by resilience and determination. In her opening match, she defeated Kamilla Rakhimova by 6-4,6-0, but in the next two, she had to put in some hard yards. It took her three sets to beat both Leylah Fernandez and Belinda Bencic in the R32 and the R16, respectively. Her match against Bencic had plenty of drama, but when she was asked to share her thoughts, particularly about the 2-hour and 29-minute-long battle, she said, “It was a tough match. I had chances in the first set to close it out, but overall, I’m happy with how I fought. She was being really aggressive, but I tried my best.”

With that win, Gauff became the youngest player to register nine consecutive wins in women’s singles at the China Open since the tournament began in 2024. In fact, the American is now also the youngest to play 14 matches, win 13 matches, and reach three QFs at the event (all since its inception).

If we take a look at her overall performance in this season, she reached the QF of the AO, but over there, her journey came to an end at the hands of Paula Badosa, and that too in straight sets! Although Coco Gauff reached the finals in Madrid and Rome, she failed to win the titles. But at Roland Garros, she stunned everyone by securing a three-set triumph over the current world number one, Aryna Sabalenka. She came back from being one set down to win the second major title of her career. But surprisingly, after the French Open, she struggled in the next two Slams. She was knocked out in the first round itself at Wimbledon, and then at the US Open, Naomi Osaka defeated her by 6-3,6-2.

However, so far in this tournament, the American has looked quite impressive, but can she take down the German star in the next round?

Eva Lys started her season with a bang, reaching the fourth round of the AO. However, her dream run at Melbourne came to an end at the hands of Iga Swiatek. Following that, her next long run came at the WTA 125 LA Bisbal D’Emporda, ES. Lys had made it to the QF in that tournament. Then again, at the Tennis in the Land, she reached the QF, but even there she failed to make it to the semis. 

Can she change her fortunes in Beijing? Well, Eva Lys has been the surprise package of the tournament so far. She defeated Elena Rybakina in the R32 in a three-set thriller, and then again in the R16, she took three sets (4-6,6-1,6-2) to beat America’s McCartney Kessler.

Gauff vs Lys: Head-to-Head

For Coco Gauff and Eva Lys, this QF marks uncharted territory. The two have never faced each other on the WTA Tour, making this clash a fascinating first-time battle. So, currently their H2H record is at 0-0.

After reaching her maiden WTA 1000 QF, Lys tried to put her feelings into words by saying, “I’m trying to hold back my tears. It was so fun playing in front of you guys… I didn’t expect to have a lot of fans in China. I really appreciate that. It means so much to be in my first WTA 1000 quarterfinal.”

Her post-match reaction tells you how much this win means to her, but she has a massive challenge up ahead. While sharing her thoughts about facing Coco Gauff in the next match, she said, “I mean, this is the reason I play tennis. I am happy to have the best opponents, and I am happy to see where I am against them. I am really excited for the match. I am excited I finally made it to the Center Court, so I really like this court, but the Center will be a nice experience.”

Prediction: Gauff to win in three sets

While Eva Lys (ranked 66th in the world) is on an inspiring run, Coco Gauff’s combination of experience, composure, and defensive agility likely gives her the edge. Gauff is expected to dictate the pace early, forcing Lys to take risks and potentially make errors. Yet, if Lys maintains her fearless baseline game and serves aggressively, she could push the match to a thrilling decider.

Gauff’s athleticism and experience contrast sharply with Lys’s fearless aggression and tactical cunning. Expect long baseline rallies, sudden changes of pace, and moments of high drama—a true test for both players' mental and physical endurance. 

While Coco Gauff is known for her strong defense and court coverage, she also possesses potent attacking skills, capable of using both offense and defense to dictate play. Eva Lys, on the other hand, has a tendency to take the ball early to disrupt her opponents’ rhythm. Both these players are incredible fighters on the court, but the biggest concern for them is their serves. Gauff has already committed 347 double faults this season, while it’s around 108 for Lys (she has hit only 25 aces this season).

Coming to their form, Gauff has a win-loss record of 41-13 this season, while it’s just 26-21 for Lys. So, considering all these factors, Gauff (also the defending champion here) is slightly ahead in this contest. But nevertheless, this QF promises more than just tennis—it promises drama, resilience, and a story worth watching, regardless of who wins.

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallySports. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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