Coco Gauff is in to her first WTA Tour semi-final since winning the French Open in June after defeating Eva Lys 6-3 6-4 at the China Open to remain on course for a successful title defence.

World No 3 Gauff's best result since her Roland-Garros triumph was making the quarter-finals in Cincinnati, with the American losing in the first round at Wimbledon and then being knocked out in the last 16 of her home Grand Slam at the US Open.

The 21-year-old, now the highest-ranked player left in the draw after Iga Swiatek's defeat and Aryna Sabalenka not in action, will face either Jasmine Paolini or Amanda Anisimova in the last four as she pushes for a third WTA 1000 title.

Gauff beat Karolina Muchová to win the China Open a year ago, having defeated the same player to land her maiden 1000 troph

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