Coco Gauff said she had a “draining” few days after receiving racist abuse online before her fourth-round China Open exit.

The American received an “insane” amount of racist comments and direct messages following an incident in her third-round win over 16-year-old Sun Xinran on Monday.

China’s Sun thought she had hit a winner late in the first set, but Gauff raised her hand to halt play because of a flickering light in the side panels surrounding the court.

After a video review – which players are allowed to request – the point was replayed, with Gauff winning it and subsequently going on to clinch the match.

The 22-year-old posted a lengthy statement explaining what had happened and later condemned the racist abuse she received in response.

Gauff was beaten 6-3 6-3 in her next match against Elise Mertens on Wednesday.

Asked how she had felt over the past 36 hours, Gauff said: “It has been kind of draining, I’m not going to lie.

“I just turn off my phone and move on. I mean, there’s nothing you can do.”

A spokesperson for the Women’s Tennis Association said it was appalled by the abuse. It said it was in contact with Gauff “to offer our full support”.

A statement given to the news agency AFP said the governing body was “seeking action” against the abusive content.

Gauff, who won the title in Beijing in 2024, committed 34 unforced errors and eight double faults against Mertens.

“I was just a bit flat. That’s the main thing,” Gauff said.

“The level was there at some points, I just didn’t sustain it the whole match.”

Belgium’s Mertens will play former world number one Iga Swiatek in the quarter-finals after the six-time major champion Swiatek beat American teenager Iva Jovic 6-1 6-3.

BBC Sport has spoken to a number of senior figures with the game in recent days who are concerned about prospect of City qualifying for the Champions League next season.

The feeling is that if City do not win their appeal and are therefore handed a strong sanction, then being allowed to compete alongside Europe’s elite, and receiving the financial rewards which come with it, would not be acceptable.

The immediate issue surrounds the Uefa licence, which every club needs in order to play in Europe.

One source said the issue of City’s licence “had been raised” and that a solution “would require the sort of joined up thinking that’s been a bit lacking so far”.

The licences are issued by the Football Association, though the process itself is delegated to the Premier League.

The licences are based upon current information which does not take into account sanctions or breaches related to historical offences.

If a club fulfils all minimum criteria required for admission, the licence cannot be refused.

The key reasons a club may fail relate to overdue payables to other teams, players or outstanding tax liabilities.

Match-fixing convictions within the last 10 years, or a integrity conflict related to multi-club ownership, are considered but would not apply to City.

A source added that “licences are awarded on the basis of current financial performance, so the grounds to refuse one are unclear”.

If the verdict is upheld by the appeal board is it likely City will face severe sanctions, which could include heavy points deductions, a large fine and transfer embargos.

The sanctioning hearing, which will determine the level of punishment City must face, is yet to be scheduled.

While a points deduction could rule City out of qualifying by league position, it might still be achieved through cup competitions.

Expelling City from the Premier League immediately is also an option which remains on the table.

A panel of BBC Sport correspondents explore what sanctions Manchester City could face after being found guilty of all charges related to breaches of Premier League financial rules between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons.

WATCH MORE: Your Manchester City questions answered by the experts, external