China Open: Iga Swiatek beats Coco Gauff to secure final berth

Swiatek breezed past the 19-year-old US Open champion 6-2 6-3 in Beijing to close in on her first WTA 1000 title of the season.

Speaking on court, the 22-year-old Pole said: "I'm really happy with my performance. It feels like I can play freely again, so I'm really happy.

"It's been a while since I felt that way, so I'll remember for the rest of my career that even though tougher times may come, in your mind you can always overcome that. And with hard work, you can achieve it."

Swiatek, who lost to Gauff at the same stage in Cincinnati in August, broke at 3-1 in the first set and never looked back.

She established a 2-0 lead at the start of the second and after the American teenager had taken a medical time-out to have a shoulder problem assessed, closed out the match with the minimum of fuss.

Her reward is a final clash with Samsonova, who beat fifth seed Elena Rybakina 7-6 (7) 6-3.

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