Coco Gauff after winning her round of 32 match against China’s Sun Xinran. (Reuters Photo)
The American, a two-time Grand Slam champion, defeated the 16-year-old 7-5, 6-1 to reach the fourth round in Beijing, but found herself targeted online after an incident late in the opening set. The chair umpire subsequently ordered the point to be replayed after a video review, and Gauff won the replay before holding serve to level the set at 5-5. Responding to a post containing a racial slur on X early Tuesday, the 22-year-old American made clear that criticism of her actions did not justify racist abuse. Gauff won the replayed point and then held serve to make it 5-5 before taking control of the match.
She had recently won the US Open junior title.
Gauff said she had spoken to Sun after the contest and apologised for the situation. Gauff stopped play during a crucial rally after noticing a flickering advertising board courtside, just as Sun appeared poised to put away a winner. The incident triggered a backlash on social media, with Gauff saying she was subjected to a barrage of abusive messages following the match. The controversy began when Gauff stopped a rally after electronic advertising boards around the court flickered during the point. Sun appeared to be on course to win the rally when Gauff raised her hand and stopped play. Following a video review, the umpire ruled that the point should be replayed. The Chinese teenager, who received a wildcard for the tournament and was making her WTA Tour debut, appeared emotional following the defeat.
Gauff, who herself reached the Wimbledon fourth round as a 15-year-old in 2019, said she understood the emotions Sun was experiencing after such a high-profile match.
“Xinran’s an incredible talent and player, I apologised for the situation at the end of the match and she completely understood,” Gauff wrote. Despite the controversy surrounding the replayed point, Gauff recovered to win comfortably and advance to the fourth round of the China Open.