Zheng Qinwen stunned by unseeded Muchova at China Open

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Zheng Qinwen (R) of China and Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic shake hands at the net after their semifinal at China Open in Beijing, China, October 5, 2024. /CFP

Unseeded Czech Karolina Muchova dashed local favorite Zheng Qinwen's hopes on home soil on Saturday by upsetting the Olympic champion to reach the final of the China Open. She is now only a victory away from ending a five-year title drought.

Muchova missed 10 months due to injury after the 2023 US Open. She snapped top seed Aryna Sabalenka's 15-match winning streak in the quarterfinals and was up a break at 5-3 in the first set when Zheng produced a brilliant backhand smash, but Muchova later won the set 6-3.

Zheng Qinwen (C) of China receives medial treatment during the women's singles semifinal at China Open in Beijing, China, October 5, 2024. /CFP

The Chinese suffered an injury after falling to the court in the second set. She trailed 4-2 and but won the rally with a lob.

Zheng saved two match points on her own serve and continued to hold, but Muchova served it out at love to win the second set 6-3. The Czech improved to a 2-1 win against Zheng and moved into her second WTA 1000 final following her runner-up placement at Cincinnati last year.

Coco Gauff of the United States acknowledges the crowd after her semifinal at China Open in Beijing, China, October 5, 2024. /CFP

In the other semifinal, fourth seed Coco Gauff faced 15th seed Paula Badosa of Spain who picked off the corner with a backhand volley and went on to win the first set 6-4. Gauff was down 3-1 in the second set, but the 2023 US Open champion turned the tide and won the second set 6-4.

Gauff, who won the Auckland Open in January, then claimed three breaks to Badosa's one in the deciding set to win it 6-2.

The American will take on Muchova for the title later on Sunday.