US Open champion Coco Gauff off to winning start at China Open

The American defeated Ekaterina Alexandrova 7-5 6-3 in her first match since lifting her maiden grand slam title in New York last month.

Russian Alexandrova fought back after Gauff won the opening four games, but the American broke serve again to take the first set and an early break in the second proved enough.

"It wasn't the best level to be honest, but I'm happy with the way I was able to fight through," said the 19-year-old, who extended her winning run of matches to 13.

Second seed Iga Swiatek, playing her first WTA event in China, defeated Spain's Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-4 6-3, while Ons Jabeur saw off Ashlyn Krueger 6-3 6-4.

Two-time former Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, meanwhile, hit out at the scheduling after her 6-4 7-5 loss to Liudmila Samsonova.

Writing on X, formerly Twitter, the Czech said: "Far from ideal to finish my match at the @ChinaOpen at 1am and then be back on the schedule at NB 5:30pm the next day when some first round matches had yet to be played.

"I have always played the sport with huge respect and rarely speak out, but this time I feel strongly enough to say that there *has* to have been a fairer option. Please do better for your players @WTA."

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