Anisimova, seeded third, was in imperious form against her fellow American, dictating play from start to finish. “I felt really good throughout the whole match. All my shots were working today, which is my favourite way to play,” she said afterward. “Coco’s a really tough player, so I knew I was really going to have to step it up.”
Despite recently undergoing dental surgery and taking time off after the US Open, Anisimova admitted she was surprised by her own momentum. “I didn’t really feel match fit ahead of the tournament. I was like, is it a mistake that I’m flying there? But I’ve learned that when I’m not feeling my best physically, I actually play better because I don’t put as much pressure on myself,” she added.
The American dominated from the start, racing to a 5–0 lead in the opening set as Gauff struggled to find her rhythm, committing numerous unforced errors and double-faulting twice to hand over set points. Though Gauff finally held serve to avoid a bagel, Anisimova sealed the set with ease and carried her momentum into the second, again jumping to a commanding 5–0 lead.
Gauff managed to pull two games back, but Anisimova’s composure proved unshakable as she closed out the match in under an hour — her quickest victory of the tournament.
The loss marked Gauff’s first defeat on Beijing’s Diamond Court since 2023, when she fell to Iga Świątek in the semi-finals. “She’s definitely one of the best,” Gauff admitted after the match. “Today I would have liked to perform better, and I need to step up my game.”
With the win, Anisimova advanced to her fourth career final and secured her place at the WTA Finals, capping what has been a resurgent year for the American. “It’s been a great season for me,” she said, smiling.
Meanwhile, her upcoming opponent Linda Noskova produced one of the biggest upsets of the tournament, saving three match points to defeat fifth seed Jessica Pegula 6–3, 1–6, 7–6(6) in a two-hour, 28-minute thriller.
The 20-year-old Czech, seeded 26th, held her nerve in a tense final-set tiebreak after Pegula double-faulted on match point. “It was quite a tough match mentally and physically, so I’m just gonna cherish this win,” Noskova said. “I’m just too happy that I could win.”
Sunday’s final will see Anisimova chase her fourth WTA title, while Noskova aims for her second career crown — and her first at the prestigious WTA 1000 level.