MANILA, Philippines — US Open runnerup Amanda Anisimova crushed defending champion Coco Gauff in just 58 minutes on Saturday to reach her first China Open final.
The third seed thrashed second-seeded fellow American Gauff 6-1, 6-2 in Beijing. She plays either fifth seed Jessica Pegula, also of the United States, or 26th-seeded Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic on Sunday.
“I was able to put on a really good performance,” Anisimova said.
Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic said he had to “fire up all engines” as he overcame a stodgy first set to reach the third round of the Shanghai Masters on Friday, beating fellow veteran Marin Cilic 7-6 (7/2), 6-4.
The 38-year-old Serb is chasing a record-extending fifth title in Shanghai, where he was greeted by rapturous cheers as he entered a stadium packed with adoring Chinese fans.