China Open 2024: Coco Gauff vs Yuliia Starodubtseva preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick

Match Details

Fixture: (4) Coco Gauff vs (Q) Yuliia Starodubtseva

Date: October 3, 2024

Tournament: 2024 China Open

Round: Quarterfinal

Venue: National Tennis Center, Beijing, China

Category: WTA 1000

Surface: Hardcourt

Prize Money: $8,955,610

Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN

Coco Gauff vs Yuliia Starodubtseva preview

Coco Gauff in action at the 2024 China Open (Image Source: Getty)

Fourth seed Coco Gauff will face qualifier Yuliia Starodubtseva in the quarterfinals of the 2024 China Open on Thursday, October 3.

Gauff began her campaign in the Chinese capital with a 7-5, 6-3 win over Clara Burel in the second round after receiving a first-round bye. She was tested again in the first set of her third-round match against 26th seed Katie Boulter but dominated the second set to secure a 7-5, 6-2 victory.

In a blockbuster third-round clash, Gauff faced 2019 champion Naomi Osaka. Both players started strong on serve, but Osaka gained the upper hand in the eighth game with some blistering baseline play. That break proved decisive, as she comfortably served out the set in the next game.

The second set was a fierce baseline battle, with Gauff pushing early for a break. Osaka, however, once again broke first. Gauff responded by winning the last three games off the set to force a decider. Tied at 3-6, 6-4, Osaka was forced to retire due to a lower back injury.

Starodubtseva, meanwhile, began her China Open campaign in the qualifiers as the tenth seed. She cruised past Canada’s Carol Zhao 6-2, 6-2 and South Korea’s Jang Su-jeong 6-0, 6-2 to secure a spot in the main draw. In the first round, she defeated German veteran Laura Siegemund 6-4, 7-6 (3).

Continuing her impressive run, Starodubtseva dominated 27th seed Katerina Siniakova, winning 6-2, 6-2. She maintained her momentum in the third round, defeating Elina Avanesyan 6-3, 6-1. Starodubtseva then achieved her biggest WTA victory by overcoming 10th seed Anna Kalinskaya in the fourth round, producing a brilliant second set to win 7-5, 6-0.

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Coco Gauff vs Yuliia Starodubtseva head-to-head

Coco Gauff and Yuliia Starodubtseva have not yet faced each other in professional competition, so their head-to-head record stands at 0-0.

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Coco Gauff vs Yuliia Starodubtseva odds

Player	Moneyline	Handicap Bets	Total Games
Coco Gauff	-650	-1.5 (-210)	Over 19.5 (-130)
Yulia Starodubtseva	+425	+1.5 (+140)	Under 19.5 (-110)

All odds sourced from BETMGM.

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Coco Gauff vs Yuliia Starodtsewa prediction

Coco Gauff appears to have shaken off her disappointing North American hardcourt swing with some brilliant form in Beijing, showing signs of returning to her best. Although tested in her previous round, she fought back valiantly, winning key points with her aggressive play both from the baseline and at the net.

Yuliia Starodubtseva, on the other hand, has continued her excellent form from a couple of weeks ago at the Jasmin Open where she reached the quarterfinals. She's played six matches since in Beijing and has yet to drop a set. Dominant on serve and formidable on return, her exceptional court coverage and tenacity have made her a tough competitor this week.

Gauff enters this match with a 42-14 record for the season, while Starodubtseva stands at 7-7. Starodubtseva, however, has a stronger hardcourt win-loss record this year at 6-3 having played significantly fewer matches, compared to Gauff’s 25-8.

On paper, Gauff enters this match as the stronger player, but Starodubtseva's scintillating form makes her a serious threat for another upset. Gauff's superior big-match experience and hardcourt record could give her the edge. It, however, promises to be an exciting contest, with both players leading into the match-up.

Pick: Gauff to win in straight sets.