Coco Gauff beats Ann Li to reach fourth round at Madrid Open, will face Belinda Bencic

World No.4 tennis star Coco Gauff had an easier day at the office at the Mutua Madrid Open on Saturday (26 April).

The 21-year-old American had survived an outright scare in her opening match, escaping Dayana Yastremska in a tight three-setter. But it was smoother sailing against compatriot Ann Li in a round of 32 encounter, with Gauff winning 6-2, 6-3 in just over an hour.

The victory moves Gauff in the fourth round at the WTA 1000 event, matching her career best in Madrid - from last year and 2022.

She'll face Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion Belinda Bencic, who needed over three hours to beat Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(2) after trailing 1-4 in the third set.

Gauff started her match after Bencic on separate courts, but finished well before her next opponent.

"I played better today," Gauff said on court, referring to the Yastremska tussle. "[I was] more comfortable and trying to be more aggressive but playing with margin."

Gauff hit 10 winners and won 73 percent of her first serve points.

Gauff could be on a collision course with 17-year-old rising star Mirra Andreeva, who also won on Saturday. The two are seeded to meet in the quarter-finals. They are on the bottom half of the draw with world No.2 Iga Swiatek, the 2024 Madrid champion.

Gauff and Bencic, meanwhile, have played four times, splitting those encounters, including two in 2025: Australian Open (won by Gauff) and Indian Wells (Bencic).

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