The 2024 China Open was all Coco Gauff could have asked for. It was not just about clinching her eighth career title or becoming the youngest China Open champion in 14 years by defeating Karolina Muchova 6-1, 6-3 in the final. Beyond the accolades, it was the fan reception throughout. Oh, how one fan asked her to sign their laptop in permanent ink! More than 300,000 fans passed through the gates over the 12-day tournament, and her night matches in the Diamond Court were consistently near capacity. It was the place where the then 20-year-old had “gotten the most gifts,” but right now, all of that looks so far gone.

This Friday, she defeated Russia’s Kamilla Rakhimova 6-4, 6-0 to have her spot in the last 32 as she looks to reclaim the China Open crown. The witness to her stunning title d

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