Coco Gauff’s latest win at the China Open was as intense emotionally as it was on the scoreboard. The defending champion battled through a tough three-set contest against Belinda Bencic, coming from a set down to secure a 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-2 victory in Beijing. But beyond the thrilling rallies, the match was marked by a heated on-court exchange that left Gauff visibly unimpressed with her opponent’s behavior.
Tensions boiled over in the second set when Bencic, frustrated after losing several close points, turned her attention toward Gauff’s team box. The Swiss player accused members of Gauff’s support team of making noise and distracting her between points. At one stage, she shouted in their direction, telling them to “shut up,” prompting an intervention from the chair umpire as both players exchanged words mid-match.
After sealing the win, Gauff addressed the incident during her post-match press conference, explaining that she had no desire for confrontation but felt the need to stand up for her team. “I don’t like having confrontations on the court,” she said. “But I just didn’t like that comment towards my team. I was telling her to be respectful. I’ve been nice with her team off court. We’ve been nice to each other. I just didn’t like that comment.”
The 20-year-old American made it clear she wasn’t interested in prolonging any drama, emphasizing that her main focus was on her performance and title defense. “It doesn’t bother me. I just wanted to make sure we kept things respectful,” she added, reflecting her calm and composed demeanor despite the flashpoint moment.
Once the dispute cooled, Gauff’s tennis did the talking. She dug deep to win the second-set tiebreak, using her trademark athleticism and fierce baseline play to turn the momentum. In the final set, she completely took control, breaking Bencic twice and sealing the victory with a dominant service game. It was another reminder of Gauff’s maturity and mental toughness — qualities that have defined her rise to the top tier of the women’s game.
For Bencic, the frustration was visible. She argued that noises from Gauff’s bench were disruptive, but many observers felt she allowed the distraction to throw her off rhythm. The altercation added a layer of drama to an already tense contest, sparking debate among fans about sportsmanship and emotional control during high-stakes matches.
Despite the fiery exchange, Gauff’s ability to refocus was remarkable. She has faced pressure-packed moments before — from Grand Slam finals to big-stage matches — and her response in Beijing only reinforced her reputation as one of the most composed competitors on tour. Her victory moves her into the next round as she continues her campaign to defend the title she won in style last year.
As for the controversy, Gauff chose to leave it behind. “At the end of the day, I’m just trying to play my best tennis,” she said. “What happens outside the points, I don’t want it to affect me.”
In the end, the match was a showcase of both her resilience and professionalism. While the headlines may focus on the disagreement, Gauff’s ability to rise above it — and play her best tennis when it mattered most — tells the real story. With her composure, determination, and relentless focus, she remains a leading contender not only for the China Open crown but also for a commanding finish to her 2025 season.
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