NEW YORK —
NEW YORK (AP) — Coco Gauff, at the age of 19, has become the first American teenager since Serena Williams over two decades ago to reach the U.S. Open quarterfinals in consecutive years. As a seasoned player, Gauff has proven her ability to navigate difficult situations on the tennis court.
During the fourth round match against Caroline Wozniacki on Sunday at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Gauff found herself in a challenging moment. After double-faulting and stumbling, which resulted in a break of serve, Gauff requested a moment to gather her thoughts. She turned to her coach, Brad Gilbert, who was seated in the front row, and politely asked him to stop talking. Gauff needed to focus on her game and make strategic decisions.
Despite Wozniacki gaining momentum and taking the second set, Gauff regained her composure. She made adjustments to her strokes and surged ahead, winning the match 6-3, 3-6, 6-1. Wozniacki, a 33-year-old mother of two who recently came out of retirement, posed a formidable challenge, but Gauff’s determination and skill proved to be the difference.
Reflecting on the momentary frustration she experienced, Gauff clarified that her remarks were not directed at Gilbert but rather expressed her need to reset her focus. She valued the opportunity to intensely focus on her performance without any distractions.
Gauff will face Jelena Ostapenko, the 2017 French Open champion and the 20th seed, in the quarterfinals. Ostapenko defeated defending champion Iga Swiatek in a thrilling match. Gauff’s remarkable run at the U.S. Open follows her impressive performance at the 2022 French Open, where she reached the final but narrowly lost to Swiatek.
Gauff has been on an exceptional streak, winning 15 of her last 16 matches. This resurgence in her career coincides with the addition of Pere Riba as her full-time coach and the temporary consultancy of Brad Gilbert. Gilbert has been providing invaluable insights and guidance during Gauff’s matches.
The challenging weather conditions also tested Gauff’s resilience. With the temperature reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 Celsius), she struggled in the second set, committing 22 unforced errors. However, Gauff showed her adaptability by significantly reducing her errors in the final set and dominating with 11 winners.
Wozniacki, recognizing Gauff’s growth and talent, commended her all-around abilities. Gauff’s athleticism, backhand, serve, and fighting spirit have all contributed to her success.
Gauff’s quarterfinal match against Ostapenko promises to be an exciting showdown. Meanwhile, the men’s quarterfinals feature American representation, with Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz showcasing their skills.
The stage is set for high-stakes matches as the U.S. Open progresses, and tennis enthusiasts eagerly anticipate witnessing the extraordinary performances of these exceptional athletes.
AP tennis: [https://apnews.com/hub/tennis](https://apnews.com/hub/tennis)
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
