Taylor Fritz/ Shanghai Masters/ Novak Djokovic/ Aryna Sabalenka/ Coco Gauff/ Wuhan Open/ tennis semifinals/ Newslooks/ SHANGHAI/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Taylor Fritz cruised into the Shanghai Masters semifinals with a solid win over David Goffin, setting up a match against either Novak Djokovic or Jakub Mensik. In Wuhan, Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff both powered through to the semifinals, setting up an exciting head-to-head clash.
Semifinal Matches in Shanghai and Wuhan: Quick Looks
- Shanghai Semifinals: Taylor Fritz defeated David Goffin 6-3, 6-4, advancing to face Novak Djokovic or Jakub Mensik.
- Wuhan Open: Aryna Sabalenka maintained her undefeated record in Wuhan with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Magdalena Frech.
- Gauff’s Winning Streak: Coco Gauff, coming off a win at the China Open, secured her 50th season victory with a 6-0, 6-4 win over Magda Linette.
- Local Contender: China’s Wang Xinyu moved to the semifinals after overcoming Ekaterina Alexandrova in a close 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (6) match.
Djokovic to Face Fritz in Shanghai Semifinals; Sabalenka Meets Gauff
Deep Look
Taylor Fritz moved into the semifinals of the Shanghai Masters on Friday, dispatching Belgium’s David Goffin in a confident 6-3, 6-4 performance. Fritz, the 26-year-old American, dominated the 82-minute match, converting three out of seven break points. His victory sets up a highly anticipated semifinal against either Novak Djokovic, a four-time Shanghai champion, or rising star Jakub Mensik, who face off later Friday.
“Once I get through the first rounds, I feel locked in and enjoy being here,” Fritz said, reflecting on his tournament progress.
In the other Shanghai semifinal, top-ranked Jannik Sinner will compete against Tomas Machac, who surprised second-seeded Carlos Alcaraz with an upset win in the quarterfinals.
Meanwhile, at the Wuhan Open, Aryna Sabalenka’s winning streak in Wuhan continued with an assertive 6-2, 6-2 victory over Poland’s Magdalena Frech. Sabalenka’s dominant form was evident as she struck 42 winners across 16 games, wrapping up the win in just 1 hour and 23 minutes. This win maintains her perfect record in Wuhan, where she previously claimed titles in 2018 and 2019 before the tournament’s five-year hiatus.
Sabalenka, the current U.S. Open champion, now faces fourth-ranked Coco Gauff in the semifinals, a matchup set to be a highlight of the tournament. Gauff also put on a strong performance, beating Poland’s Magda Linette 6-0, 6-4 to mark her 50th win of the season and ninth straight victory in China. The 20-year-old American broke Linette four times during the match and outstruck her opponent with 19 winners to Linette’s 13.
Reflecting on her win, Gauff said, “I’m really happy with how I played…happy I was able to close it out on my serve.” Gauff’s impressive streak includes her recent title at the China Open, showcasing her consistency on the Asian swing.
In other Wuhan Open action, 51st-ranked Wang Xinyu of China delighted local fans with a dramatic comeback win over Ekaterina Alexandrova, triumphing 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (6). Wang now awaits the outcome of the quarterfinal between her compatriot, Paris Olympics gold medalist Zheng Qinwen, and sixth-ranked Jasmine Paolini.
With Fritz moving closer to a possible title in Shanghai and the Wuhan Open semifinals featuring top talents Sabalenka and Gauff, this weekend promises thrilling matchups across the Asian tennis circuit.
