Coco Gauff gets closer to passing Serena Williams on special WTA list after reaching China Open quarter-finals

Coco Gauff edged closer to matching a Serena Williams feat after reaching the China Open quarter-finals.

The 20-year-old was given a stern test by Naomi Osaka in the last 16 as she had to battle back from a set down.

Once Gauff levelled the set, Osaka retired from the match due to a lower back issue that had been plaguing her throughout the contest.

Though it is not the way Gauff intended, she has reached the last eight in the Chinese capital for the second successive year.

Coco Gauff gets closer to closer to matching a WTA record set by Serena Williams
Coco Gauff lost the first set of her last 16 tie to Osaka despite opening up a 3-1 lead.

She then trailed the second set 4-3, but the American broke straight back to level the set at 4-4, and claimed the next two games to win the set 6-4. Before another ball could be hit, Osaka could no longer continue and Gauff advanced.

With the win, Gauff secured her 20th win over a former Grand Slam champion before turning 21, according to WTA via OptaAce.

She is hot on the heels of Serena Williams, who registered 22 victories over former major winners before turning 21.

Maria Sharapova and Kim Clijsters, who have nine Grand Slams between them, share the record with 28 wins each.

Who will Coco Gauff play in the next round?
Gauff will play for a spot in the China Open semi-finals against the unseeded Yulia Starodubtsewa.

The 24-year-old entered the WTA 1000 event through the qualifiers and upset Anna Kalinskaya in the last 16 to book a clash against the World number six for the very first time.

Gauff was posted helping Osaka carry her bags off the court before wishing her opponent well during her on-court interview.

“It was a good match up until this point,” Gauff said. “I wish Naomi a speedy recovery. No one wants to win a match like this, especially one-set all.”