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Coco Gauff makes comment about the Chinese crowd after controversial win over Sun Xinran in Beijing

World No. 4 Coco Gauff navigated a contentious moment during her 7–5, 6–1 victory over 16-year-old Sun Xinran in the third round of the China Open, sparking debate over her use of a video review at a critical juncture.

Serving at 5–5 in the first set, Gauff protested after a weak volley, prompting a replay of a point that ultimately secured her advantage. Though the crowd in Beijing briefly booed the American star—likely mistaking her initial reaction for a complaint about their support—Gauff later clarified they were ‘pretty respectful’ overall, noting their reaction shifted once they understood the issue was related to the court’s LED screens rather than the fans themselves.

Beyond the controversy, Gauff praised Xinran’s athleticism and potential, calling the teenager a future standout who ‘will be a really great player for many years to come.’ Despite limited prior matchups—Gauff had watched just two and a half of Xinran’s professional outings—the younger player’s aggressive baseline game caught her off guard, though Gauff’s serve and break-point efficiency (6 of 8 converted) proved decisive in the end. The win extended Gauff’s dominance in Beijing, while Xinran’s early exit underscored the gap between their current rankings—Gauff at 5,974 points versus Xinran’s 145—as the 2026 US Open junior champion continues her rise on the WTA Tour.

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