Coco Gauff will face a breakout star of this year’s China Open in Xinran Sun in her next match.
Sun is 16 years old and has enjoyed a very successful season on the junior circuit, reaching three Grand Slam finals, most recently winning the junior US Open title.
The Chinese wildcard has now showcased her talent at the China Open, where Sun has already beaten Eva Lys and 27th seed Cristina Bucsa to reach the third round.
Sun will now face her toughest test yet in third seed Gauff, who has offered her opponent some advice ahead of their upcoming match.
Coco Gauff has advice for Xinran Sun ahead of their match in Beijing
Gauff beat Camila Osorio 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-2 in her opening match at the China Open, before she knew who her next opponent would be.
Despite this, in her post-match press conference, Gauff was still asked about Sun and whether she had any advice for her, having also made her breakthrough onto the WTA Tour at a young age, winning her first match at the Miami Open when she had just turned 15 years old.
Gauff stated her belief that the first year on tour is actually the easiest, but had advice for Sun on how to handle her second year, as she explained the challenges that can be presented in this time.
“Yeah, I think, I mean, from that age, I don’t know, like everything feels so new and fresh,” Gauff began. “I think the first year on tour is honestly the easiest in a way because new matchups, no one knows how to play you, there’s no points to defend.
“I mean, obviously there’s going to be maybe — I don’t think even people are going to put pressure on her. They just want to see her win. I think the biggest advice when you’re second year on tour, try not to keep those same expectations. She’ll be 17 on her second year. Remember that you’re 17 years old, you’re going to fail, you’re going to succeed.
“Obviously when you’re young, especially coming from juniors when you’re used to winning, it’s sometimes tough to lose. I think it’s really cool for her to continue to have a good tournament. Obviously I would love to play her, yeah.”
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Coco Gauff’s impressive record against teenagers on the WTA Tour
As she is against most players on tour, Gauff will be the huge favourite when she plays against Sun for the first time, but even more so given her record against teenagers.
In her 23 WTA matches against teenage players, Gauff has won 21 of those, with her two most recent coming against Mirra Andreeva and Iva Jovic at the US Open.
The only two times Gauff has lost to a teenager has been against a 19-year-old Iga Swiatek at the 2021 Italian Open and more recently being beaten by Victoria Mboko at the 2025 Canadian Open.
Gauff will be hoping that Sun does not join this list, as she faces the junior US Open champion in Beijing on Monday, October 5.
