During a tightly contested match between Belinda Bencic and Coco Gauff, emotions ran high in the second set. After breaking Gauff’s serve to go up 4-3, Bencic turned to the chair umpire to express frustration over crowd behavior.

“When the point is over, it’s no problem, I don’t care. But when I’m going to the line ready to serve they don’t need to cheer,” Bencic said, visibly irritated.

Exchange between players

As Bencic voiced her concerns, Gauff responded, prompting a sharp reply from the Swiss player.

“No one’s talking to you. She’s talking to me okay! Your team is chatting. I’m too old for these mind games okay!” Bencic snapped, directing her words toward Gauff.

The tension had begun earlier in the set, at 2-3, when Bencic appeared unsettled by cheers following a Gauff winner. Gauff defended the crowd’s behavior.

“There’s nobody in the stadium. It’s been so respectful,” Gauff said. Bencic replied firmly: “They can cheer after the point.”

Competitive fire on display

The exchange highlighted the intensity of the match and the mental pressure players face in high-stakes moments. While the situation eventually cooled, it served as a reminder of how quickly emotions can surface in elite competition. Both players returned to focus, continuing the battle with determination and grit.

WTA Beijing - Cori Gauff's projected path

Gauff in Beijing, ranking, and results in 2025

Now the world no.3, the American owns an overall 41-13 match record in 2025. The American is currently competing in Beijing where she defeated the world no.89 Kamilla Rakhimova 6-4 6-0, the world no.25 Leylah Annie Fernandez 6-4 4-6 7-5 and the world no.16 Belinda Bencic 4-6 7-6(4) 6-2.

Gauff clinched 2 titles in 2025 in Australia and French Open. Gauff was the runner-up in Madrid (Mutua Madrid Open) and in Rome (Internazionali BNL d’Italia).

Gauff won 11 titles in her career: 7 on hard courts, 2 on clay courts and 2 on indoor courts. (See the list of her titles)