In the exhilarating final set of her intense fourth-round clash with Caroline Wozniacki at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Coco Gauff received some advice from her coach, Brad Gilbert. He suggested that she incorporate more spin into her shots, prioritize consistency, and engage in longer points. However, Gauff had already requested her team to refrain from giving her advice, and in a crucial moment of her season, she took matters into her own hands. Instead of staying behind the baseline as instructed, she boldly pushed her way forward and launched relentless attacks. After a gripping and physically demanding battle across generations, Gauff emerged victorious over Wozniacki, winning 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 to advance to the quarter-finals of the US Open.
According to Gauff, “Reaching 2-1 in the final set was the turning point. Breaking back showed that I was still in the match. I started going for my shots and remained aggressive. Although I made some mistakes in the second set, Caroline was impressive. It’s like she never left. She played at an amazing level. She has been a big inspiration for me as I grew up.”
The match between Gauff and Wozniacki was highly anticipated, as both players share numerous similarities. They are both exceptional athletes of their respective generations, known for their powerful backhands, and achieved success at a young age. However, their forehands have been targeted by their opponents throughout their careers, limiting their further achievements.
Despite losing her opening service game, the 19-year-old Gauff displayed an excellent performance in the first set. She found a perfect balance between taking the initiative and maintaining consistency during the physically demanding rallies. Additionally, her serves were exceptional, earning her numerous free points and utilizing a diverse range of techniques. In contrast, Wozniacki struggled with her second serves, allowing Gauff too many opportunities to capitalize on her vulnerabilities.
Nevertheless, Wozniacki’s ability to analyze and solve problems on the court is undeniable. After a challenging first set, she found her rhythm in the second set, improving her first serves and minimizing unforced errors. As the rallies grew longer and more grueling, Gauff’s forehand began to falter, resulting in 16 unforced errors.
As Gauff tried to rectify her forehand errors, the constant advice from her coaches, Pere Riba and Brad Gilbert, started to irritate her, prompting her to request them to stop. This led to Gauff unleashing a relentless attacking style, breaking back immediately, exhibiting excellent serving abilities, and maintaining a dominant position to secure a significant victory.
Regardless of her opponent in the quarter-finals, Gauff’s path will not get any easier. She may face either top seed Iga Swiatek, whom she defeated for the first time in Cincinnati last month, or Jelena Ostapenko, who defeated her at the Australian Open. However, following her disappointing first-round exit at Wimbledon, Gauff has performed exceptionally well in the hard-court season and continues to make a deep run in Grand Slam tournaments, solidifying her status as a formidable contender in her own unique style.
After enduring two challenging tournaments, Wozniacki leaves New York with an impressive performance following her three-year retirement. Not only did she defeat the 11th seed Petra Kvitova, but she also demonstrated that with continued hard work, she possesses the necessary level and physicality to be a force in the upcoming year.
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