Coco Gauff loses 6-1, 6-2 to Amanda Anisimova in China Open semifinals

Beijing, Oct. 5: Coco Gauff's title defense at the China Open ended with a 6-1, 6-2 semifinal loss to third-seeded Amanda Anisimova on Saturday.

Anisimova, runner-up at both the U.S. Open and Wimbledon this year, needed just 58 minutes to beat her American compatriot and advance to the final.

"I knew I was going to have to play really well against Coco if I wanted to get the win. I'm really excited to be in the final," she said.

Anisimova, who has risen to No. 4 in the world rankings, jumped out to 5-0 leads in both sets.

She'll face either fifth-seeded Jessica Pegula or Linda Noskova, who is seeded 26th.

The 20-year-old Noskova became the youngest Czech player to reach a WTA 1000 semifinal since the format was introduced in 2009.

Meanwhile in Shanghai, Novak Djokovic launched his bid for a record-extending fifth title at the Shanghai Masters by beating Marin Cilic in straight sets in the Serbian's first match since the U.S. Open.

The fourth-seeded Djokovic struggled to maintain a grip early in the second-round match and sprinkled sawdust on his hands to combat the humidity. He prevailed 7-6 (2), 6-4.

After breaking serve early in the second set, Djokovic fought off two break points in the final game before sealing victory with his 10th ace.It was his first match since losing to Carlos Alcaraz in the U.S. Open semifinals.

"I struggled to find my rhythm from the baseline," Djokovic said. "I (lacked) some matches, my last one was at the U.S. Open, so I got a really tough opener against Marin, who when he is feeling the ball is so dangerous and can beat anybody.

"He didn't give me time to breathe, so I dug myself out of trouble with good serving, which makes me happy."

Djokovic next faces German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann, who beat American Frances Tiafoe 6-7 (9), 6-2, 6-1.

Sixth-seeded Ben Shelton, who hadn't played since a left shoulder injury at the U.S. Open, was beaten by David Goffin 6-2, 6-4. Goffin broke serve not long after play resumed after a short rain suspension.

Earlier in the week, Shelton said that despite the five-week layoff, he still hoped to qualify for the ATP Finals in Turin, Italy, beginning Nov. 9.

Shelton is sixth in the points race for Turin, with eight making the finals. But his loss on Friday will put a dent in those ambitions.

Fifth-seeded Taylor Fritz edged past Fabian Marozsan of Hungary 2-6, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (1).

The top-seeded players in Shanghai all received first-round byes.

Jannik Sinner, who won the China Open in Beijing on Wednesday, is scheduled to play on Saturday. Top-ranked Alcaraz, who beat Fritz in the Japan Open final, announced after his win in Tokyo that he would not play in Shanghai due to minor ailments.

Likewise, seventh-seeded Alex de Minaur has advanced to the third round of the Shanghai Masters with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Camilo Ugo on Saturday.

De Minaur lost to Jannik Sinner in the China Open semifinals earlier this week, the Australian's 11th straight loss to the Italian player.

In other early matches Saturday, Yoshihito Nishioka upset 13th-seeded Andrey Rublev 2-6, 6-1, 6-4, 12th-seeded Felix Auger Aliassime beat Alejandro Tabilo 6-3, 6-3 and Kamil Majchrzak defeated Brandon Nakashima, the 29th-seeded American, 6-4, 6-0.

The top-seeded players in Shanghai all received first-round byes.

Sinner, who went on to win the China Open in Beijing, was scheduled to play Daniel Altmaier later Saturday in the second round.

Top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz, who won the Japan Open last week, announced after his win in Tokyo that he would not play in Shanghai due to minor ailments.

Meanwhile, Jessica Pegula became the third American to reach the semifinals of the China Open after rallying to beat compatriot Emma Navarro.

The fifth-seeded Pegula wasted six set points in the opener but dominated the next two sets to triumph 6-7 (2), 6-2, 6-1

"I told myself not to get too frustrated," Pegula said. "Just stay calm, try to relax a little bit, and not try as hard to execute the game plan. That kind of allowed me to play more free."

Pegula next faces Linda Noskova, who eased past Britain's Sonay Kartal 6-3, 6-4.

The 20-year-old Noskova became the youngest Czech player to reach a WTA 1000 semifinal since the format was introduced in 2009.

[CAPTION: Coco Gauff of the United States returns a shot from compatriot Amanda Anisimova in a women's singles semifinal match of the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing. (AP)] (AP)