Coco Gauff has broken yet another WTA record after reaching the third round of the China Open.
The 20-year-old played her first match since failing to defend her US Open title and returned to winning after beating Clara Burel.
It was a tough test for Gauff, who also played her first match with new coach Matt Daly, who replaced Brad Gilbert.
But the American, who defeated Burel when they met for the first time at Indian Wells in March, found a way to extend her stay in the Chinese capital.
Which record did Coco Gauff equal at the China Open?
Coco Gauff came through an up and down first set during which she held a 4-2 lead, then saved a set point while down 4-5. But Gauff held serve before breaking her opponent in the next game.
The world number six needed four set points of her own before eventually clinching the first set. In the second set, Gauff needed just one break of serve in the second set before clinching a 7-5, 6-3 win.
In the process, Gauff tied a record set by Caroline Wozniacki for the most wins at WTA 1000 events before turning 21.
“Clara, she’s tough to play,” Gauff said post-match. “I played her at Indian Wells this year; it’s a tough match but happy to get through.”
Coco Gauff makes a winning start to life under her new coach
Gauff split from coach Gilbert after just over a year working together. She has since hired coach Daly, who last worked with Denis Shapovalov on the ATP Tour.
Gauff sprayed some unforced errors as she tried to play a more aggressive brand of tennis against Burel. This appears to be something she is working on with Daly as she bids to turn her form around.
“I think I stayed aggressive the whole match, even when I was making some mistakes,” the former US Open winner said.
“But I think this is the way I have to play, and I know as I continue to get more comfortable, that will get better.”
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