CHINA OPEN FINALS: YOU NEED MORE THAN A MERE WISH TO BEAT KAROLINA MUCHOVA

The final is set in Beijing as Coco Gauff will collide with Karolina Muchova for the 1000 level Chinga Open title.

Gauff rallied from a set down to defeat Paula Badosa 4-6, 6-4, 6-2. It was her third straight comeback from a set down at the event.

“I always grew up on the philosophy that the second set is the most important set,” Gauff told the WTA. “You either win the match on that set or you stay in the match with that set.

“Obviously I want to win the first set. It would make maybe my life easier. But, yeah, I’d rather be able to raise my level in the second set than kind of crash after the first.”

Muchova scored her second big win ousting home favorite and gold medalist Qinwen Zheng 6-4, 6-3, backing up her big win over Aryna Sabalenka in the quarters.

The two met twice last summer during Gauff’s incredible run, with the American taking both.

“I think she’s one of the best players on tour,” Gauff said of the Czech. “She just had some unlucky breaks with injuries. But it’s good to see her back healthy. That’s going to be a tough matchup. She’s dangerous.”

Muchova missed 10 months, undergoing wrist surgery in February. But since returning in July she’s been a force.

“I said it in the past, I didn’t know how this year is going to look like, if I will play, if I will not play, what my level is going to be,” said Muchova. “Making a final here, it’s just so nice. Such a nice feeling.”