Coco Gauff’s 2026 Asian swing has come to an early end after the American star confirmed her withdrawal from the Wuhan Open following a straight-sets defeat to Elise Mertens at the China Open.
Gauff entered the Beijing tournament with high expectations but was eliminated in the fourth round by Mertens, who produced a composed performance to win 6-3, 6-3 in just 78 minutes.
Coco Gauff beaten by Elise Mertens in Beijing
The loss was a difficult one for Gauff, who struggled to find her usual rhythm throughout the match. The world No. 4 committed 34 unforced errors and eight double faults as Mertens consistently took advantage of the American’s mistakes.
Gauff also acknowledged afterward that she did not play at her best.
“I think I just didn’t play well,” she said after the match.
The American also felt her movement was below her normal level, while her energy appeared to drop during the second set. At 4-1 down, Gauff told her team that she had little energy as Mertens moved closer to victory.
The result marked Mertens’ first victory over Gauff in six meetings.
Why is Coco Gauff skipping the Wuhan Open?
Gauff subsequently confirmed that she would not compete at the Wuhan Open, where she was the defending champion.
In a statement released by the tournament, Gauff said her body needed time to rest and recover after a long season.
The decision means Gauff will lose 1,000 ranking points from her previous Wuhan Open title. However, she has already qualified for the WTA Finals, meaning the withdrawal does not prevent her from competing at the season-ending event.
The extra recovery time could also allow Gauff to return to the United States earlier, giving her an opportunity to work with her coaching team before the WTA Finals.
A difficult few days for Gauff
The China Open defeat came after a controversial incident in Gauff’s previous match against Chinese teenager Sun Xinran.
Gauff stopped during an important point because of a flickering advertising board, with officials ultimately ordering the point to be replayed. She went on to win the match 7-5, 6-1.
Following the match, Gauff said she had received racist abuse online related to the incident. She described the experience as draining while making clear that criticism of a tennis decision was different from racist attacks.
The emotional strain surrounding the controversy was another factor during an already demanding week in Beijing.
Gauff’s 2026 season still includes major highlights
Despite the disappointing China Open exit, Gauff has enjoyed important moments during the 2026 season.
She captured the Cincinnati Open title in August, defeating Jessica Pegula 6-2, 6-4 in the final. Her season also included a strong run at the US Open, where she defeated Mirra Andreeva in a dramatic quarterfinal before losing to Elena Rybakina in the semifinals.
Gauff also reached the Wimbledon semifinals earlier in the season.
Her progress in the second half of the campaign suggests that the China Open result was only one setback in an otherwise significant year.
Gauff turns attention toward the WTA Finals
The WTA Finals are scheduled for November 8-15, with Gauff already among the players qualified for the prestigious season-ending competition.
Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula and Mirra Andreeva are also confirmed for the tournament, while several players remain in contention for the remaining places.
For Gauff, the focus now shifts from the Asian swing to recovery and preparation. Missing Wuhan could give her valuable time to address the physical and technical issues that emerged in Beijing.
Fans following Coco Gauff will therefore be watching closely for her next appearance, while those tracking tennis scores can expect her next match to come at the WTA Finals unless her schedule changes.
With the season entering its final stage, Gauff will have an opportunity to reset and finish 2026 strongly after a challenging conclusion to her China Open campaign.
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