Gauff to face Sabalenka in Wuhan Open semi-final

American Coco Gauff secured her 50th WTA win of the year with a 6-0 6-4 victory over Magda Linette in the Wuhan Open quarter-finals.

The world number four will face top seed Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals on Saturday, after the US Open champion beat Magdalena Frech 6-2 6-2.

Gauff, 20, made eight double-faults against Poland’s Linette but was dominant on her opponent’s serve, winning 14 of 21 return points in the opening set.

“I played well, overall, maybe two bad games,” said Gauff, who has won her past nine matches.

Linette, 32, recovered slightly in the second set before one of her 22 unforced errors gave Gauff the only break of serve in the set, which wrapped up the American’s win.

Meanwhile, two-time defending champion Sabalenka extended her unbeaten record in Wuhan to 15 matches.

The Belarusian, 26, hit 42 winners in 16 games against Frech of Poland, securing victory in one hour and 23 minutes.

Also on Friday, China’s Wang Xinyu overcame Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova 4-6 7-5 7-6 (8-6) in their last-eight tie.

She will next face compatriot and Olympic gold medallist Zheng Qinwen, who beat Wimbledon and French Open finalist Jasmine Paolini 6-2 3-6 6-3.