Coco Gauff reaches first final in nine months after comeback win at China Open

The American continued her encouraging fortnight after a difficult summer with a 4-6 6-4 6-2 victory over Paula Badosa.

The Spaniard, one of the form players of the last few months, was very much in the ascendancy at a set and 4-2 up but Gauff responded with four games in a row and maintained her momentum in the deciding set.

"I'm really happy with how I was able to come back today," said Gauff. "Paula's a tough opponent and every time we play it's a tough match.

"I knew mentally I had to be there every point and, regardless of the result, I'm proud of how I was able to fight. It feels great to finish it with a final. I told my team, it's a long two weeks but it's worth it."

Gauff's last final came in Auckland in January, when she defeated Elina Svitolina to claim her seventh tour level title.

She will take on Czech Karolina Muchova in the final, who followed up her upset of Aryna Sabalenka by defeating home favourite Zheng Qinwen 6-3 6-4.

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