Victoria Azarenka Responds to Controversy in Coco Gauff’s China Open Match: 'I Don’t Think That Makes It Fair'

Azarenka Weighs In on Disputed Moment During Coco Gauff’s China Open Win

In the third round of the 2026 China Open, Coco Gauff overcame Sun Xinran in a match marked by controversy. Early in the first set, Gauff requested a video review after Xinran scored a winner. Gauff argued that flashing LED screens at the court's edge distracted her during the point. The umpire agreed to have the point replayed, which Gauff won, eventually taking the match 7-5, 6-1.

The 16-year-old Xinran appeared visibly shaken by the incident and could not regain momentum, marking her first loss in a WTA Tour main draw (now 2-1). Social media backlash against Gauff was swift and harsh.

Victoria Azarenka Defends Gauff Amid Criticism

Victoria Azarenka, former world number one and two-time Grand Slam champion, spoke out in support of Gauff. After some time away from the public spotlight, the Belarusian star addressed the confusion surrounding video replays, calling them a recent addition to tennis that still needs clearer rules and procedures.

Azarenka also noted the timing of Gauff's review request—just before Xinran executed the forehand winner—and stressed that the umpire holds responsibility for managing such situations. She argued players deserve understanding rather than blame.

"I don’t think it’s fair to assign bad intentions to anyone after this," Azarenka said, referencing the flood of online abuse Gauff received.

Her stance suggests that the American's call for a replay was legitimate under current rules. If there are concerns about how such calls affect fairness, the solution lies in rule adjustments, not criticism of the player.

Upcoming Matches and Gauff’s Path Forward

Following this controversial victory, Gauff is set to face Belgium's Elise Mertens on Wednesday, October 7. Mertens, seeded 13th, advanced by defeating Katie Volynets and Jelena Ostapenko in three sets.

Coco Gauff’s Road to the China Open Title

• First round: Bye
• Second round: Camila Osorio (Rank 66)
• Third round: Sun Xinran (Rank 582)
• Fourth round: Elise Mertens (Rank 19, Seed 13)
• Quarter-final: Iga Swiatek (Rank 9, Seed 8), Iva Jovic (Seed 10)
• Semi-final: Elina Svitolina (Rank 7, Seed 6), Ann Li (Seed 21)
• Final: Mirra Andreeva (Rank 5, Seed 4), Linda Noskova (Seed 5), Karolina Muchova (Seed 7), Naomi Osaka (Seed 12), Ekaterina Alexandrova (Seed 19), Nikola Bartunkova (Seed 26)

Head-to-Head: Gauff vs. Mertens

The two have met five times, with Gauff leading 5-0. This history makes her confident ahead of their upcoming clash. Should she progress, a quarter-final showdown with Iga Swiatek or Iva Jovic looms.

Gauff trails Swiatek 5-11 overall but has won their last four encounters. Against Jovic, she remains undefeated, beating her twice this year in Rome and New York.

Top Seeds Left in the Tournament

• [3] Coco Gauff
• [4] Mirra Andreeva
• [6] Elina Svitolina
• [7] Karolina Muchova
• [8] Iga Swiatek
• [10] Iva Jovic
• [13] Elise Mertens
• [19] Ekaterina Alexandrova
• [21] Ann Li
• [26] Nikola Bartunkova

With early exits for top seeds Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka, Gauff avoids facing them as she aims for the title. Likely opponents include Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina in the semis and Russia’s Mirra Andreeva in the final. Gauff trails Svitolina 2-4 but holds a 6-0 advantage over Andreeva.

The tournament continues to unfold, and Coco Gauff looks determined to make a deep run in Beijing.