Coco Gauff books her return to the China Open semi-finals where Paolo Badosa awaits

Coco Gauff books her return to China Open semi-finals where in-form Paolo Badosa awaits; Watch all the ATP and WTA action on Sky Sports Tennis and Sky Sports+ which is integrated into Sky TV, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports app

Former Grand Slam champion Coco Gauff booked her return to the China Open semi-finals where in-form Paolo Badosa awaits.

Gauff battled back from a set down to defeat Ukrainian qualifier Yuliia Starodubtseva 2-6 6-2 6-2 in the quarter-finals on Thursday.

Beijing is the American’s third WTA 1000 semi-final of the year and first since Rome.

She will next play Badosa of Spain, who earlier ended local wild card Zhang Shuai’s unexpected run at the tournament.

“I was just trying to remember what we’ve been working on on the practice court,” Gauff said. “It’s still a lot of things I’m adjusting to, so for me, it’s about trusting the process and focusing on that.

Today, I can’t control how I play or how she plays, but I can just try to control my mindset and commit to the process.”

The world No 115 Starodubtseva had not lost a set in her three matches this week and quickly took the first set in an error-strewn first set for the American.

Former US Open champion Gauff needed to find a response against Starodubtseva and saved two break points in her opening service game of the second set before a service break propelled her 3-1 ahead.

After another narrow escape on her next service game, Gauff lost only three more games as she wrapped up victory.

Shuai’s drought-busting week came to a shuddering halt as Badosa continued her own resurgence in a 6-1 7-6 (7-4) victory in their quarter-final.

The Spaniard has won 28 of her last 35 matches and made the semi-finals of three of her past five tournaments.

She also enjoyed a run to the US Open quarter-finals last month.