Despite early dominance, Coco Gauff was eliminated in the semifinals against Aryna Sabalenka

Coco Gauff is from the WTA Wuhan Open tennis tournament after a disappointing semi-final defeat in three sets on Saturday (October 12). Aryna Sabalenka6-1 4-6 4-6.

The US player appeared to be on her way to a big win in Wuhan after dominating the opening set against top seed Sabalenka, who couldn’t find her rhythm as Gauff rampaged around the court and took her chances. But Gauff, who was in fourth place, failed to extend her lead, mainly due to unforced errors.

Gauff, who last faced Sabalenka in the Australian Open semifinals in January, which also ended in defeat, committed nine double faults in the second and third sets as Sabalenka enjoyed her reprieve.

The top seed saved seven break points from 11 chances in the final two sets and converted six of her own when Gauff’s play let her down.

The sheer number of Gauff’s double faults – 21 in total – was a disappointing story for the US athlete, whose career now slips to 4-4 in a head-to-head matchup with Sabalenka. At the same time, two semi-final appearances under her new coaching team – after not reaching a final on tour since January – indicate that things are looking up for Gauff.

World number 2 Sabalenka is guaranteed to have a Chinese home opponent and Olympic champion in the final Zheng Qinwen And Wang Xinyu contest the second semi-final of the evening.