Coco Gauff overcomes Paolini to reach Wuhan final

Gauff held for the first time in the set to move 4-3 ahead, broke again and served out the match to set up a clash with world number one Aryna Sabalenka or American Jessica Pegula on Sunday.

French Open champion Coco Gauff defeated Italy's Jasmine Paolini 6-4 6-3 on Saturday to reach the Wuhan Open final, her third WTA 1000 final of the year. Picture :AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.

French Open champion Coco Gauff defeated Italy's Jasmine Paolini 6-4 6-3 on Saturday to reach the Wuhan Open final, her third WTA 1000 final of the year.

The American third seed took the opening set after both players held serve in the first five games before trading five straight breaks.