Coco Gauff, the 19-year-old tennis prodigy from Florida, has once again made history by becoming the first American teenager since Serena Williams to reach the U.S.
Open quarterfinals two years in a row. Gauff’s remarkable ability to navigate through challenges on the tennis court was evident in her recent match against Caroline Wozniacki in the fourth round at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
As the second set started slipping away from her, Gauff found herself in need of a moment to collect her thoughts after committing a series of mistakes, including a couple of double faults and an awkward stumble that led to her doing the splits.
In an attempt to regain her focus, Gauff turned towards Brad Gilbert, one of her two coaches who was seated in the front row, and politely requested him to cease his constant chatter. A few minutes later, she reiterated her request, firmly stating, “Stop talking.”
During a captivating and intense tennis match, a remarkable turn of events unfolded as Caroline Wozniacki found herself seizing four consecutive games, propelling her to secure a break in the third set.
However, just as victory seemed to be slipping through her fingers due to a series of unforced errors, a determined and resolute Coco Gauff managed to rectify her strokes and regain control of the match.
With an unwavering spirit, Gauff surged forward, claiming the final six games in a stunning display of skill and resilience.
Ultimately, she emerged triumphant with a hard-fought 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 victory over Wozniacki, a seasoned athlete who, despite being a 33-year-old mother of two, had recently made a remarkable comeback from retirement.
This thrilling encounter showcased the unwavering determination and remarkable talent of both players, leaving spectators in awe of their extraordinary abilities on the tennis court.
“I was getting frustrated,” expressed the sixth-seeded Coco Gauff, clarifying that her frustration was not specifically directed at her opponent. Rather, she felt the need to reset herself mentally and emotionally.
In that particular moment, she yearned for solitude, desiring to focus solely on her own thoughts and actions.
Looking ahead, Gauff’s next challenge awaits her in the form of either defending champion Iga Swiatek or the formidable No. 20 seed Jelena Ostapenko.
The top-seeded Swiatek was scheduled to face Ostapenko on Sunday night, following the match between 23-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic and qualifier Borna Gojo. Gauff’s previous best performance in a major tournament was reaching the final at the 2022 French Open, where she ultimately lost to Swiatek.
However, she has been on an impressive winning streak, triumphing in 15 of her last 16 matches. This remarkable run includes her recent victories at the DC Open and in Cincinnati, which are the two most significant titles she has secured in her career thus far.
It is worth noting that this successful period coincides with the addition of Pere Riba as her full-time coach and the temporary consultancy role of Gilbert.
In recent weeks, television microphones have consistently captured Gilbert’s frequent interjections and advice to Gauff during her matches.
In her encounter with Wozniacki, a formidable opponent who had previously clinched the Australian Open title in 2018 and emerged as a runner-up twice in New York, Gauff found herself grappling with the delicate balance between asserting her aggression, as desired by herself, and exercising caution, as advocated by Gilbert. Gauff acknowledged the accuracy of Gilbert’s scouting reports, but recognized the necessity of occasionally deviating from his recommendations.
The scorching heat of the day, with temperatures soaring to 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 Celsius), seemed to affect Gauff’s performance in the second set, resulting in a staggering 22 unforced errors.
However, she swiftly rectified this issue in the latter stages of the match, committing only eight mistakes in the final set.
Furthermore, Gauff’s dominance in the third set was evident through her impressive tally of 11 winners, dwarfing Wozniacki’s mere two.
Wozniacki, acknowledging Gauff’s innate athleticism, lauded her exceptional backhand, serve, and unwavering fighting spirit. She also noted that Gauff’s abilities are currently converging harmoniously, leading to her recent successes.
During the thrilling third set of the match, as the playing surface became engulfed in creeping shadows, Caroline Wozniacki, the Danish tennis star, approached chair umpire Louise Azemar Engzell to express her difficulty in tracking the ball under such conditions.
With utmost politeness, Wozniacki humbly requested that the stadium lights be switched on, hoping to alleviate the challenging situation.
However, to her dismay, her plea fell on deaf ears as her request was not fulfilled. Meanwhile, Coco Gauff, Wozniacki’s formidable opponent, expressed her admiration for the Danish player’s remarkable comeback, stating that Wozniacki’s return to the court felt seamless and effortless.
Gauff regarded the opportunity to play against Wozniacki as a great honor. In another captivating women’s quarterfinal match, the tenth-seeded Karolina Muchova will face off against the thirtieth-seeded Sorana Cirstea, promising an exciting clash between two talented athletes.
In a thrilling display of skill and determination, Karolina Muchova, the Wimbledon finalist from July, secured her spot in the quarterfinals of the U.S.
Open for the first time. Her hard-fought victory over Wang Xinyu, with a score of 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, showcased her resilience and unwavering focus on the court.
Meanwhile, Sorana Cirstea, who hadn’t reached the final eight at any major tournament since the 2009 French Open, made an impressive comeback by defeating the 15th seed, Belinda Bencic, with a score of 6-3, 6-3.
This unexpected turn of events sets the stage for an exciting quarterfinal showdown between these two accomplished athletes.
Furthermore, the U.S. Open guarantees the presence of at least one American man in the semifinals for the second consecutive year.
Frances Tiafoe, who reached this stage last year, and the unseeded Ben Shelton both emerged victorious on Sunday, securing their places in the quarterfinals.
This achievement highlights the depth of talent within American men’s tennis and reinforces their strong presence in the tournament.
Additionally, Taylor Fritz’s impressive performance against Swiss qualifier Dominic Stricker, with a score of 7-6 (2), 6-4, 6-4, secured his position as the third American man in the quarterfinals.
This marks the first time since 2005, when Andre Agassi, James Blake, and Robby Ginepri all reached this stage, that three American men have made it to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open.
Frances Tiafoe’s dominant display against Australian wild-card entry Rinky Hijikata, with a score of 6-4, 6-1, 6-4, showcased his exceptional skills and determination.
In the first match of the day on Ashe, the 20-year-old Ben Shelton made a remarkable impression by hitting a pair of aces at an incredible speed of 149 mph (240 kph) – the fastest serve of the entire tournament – in a single game.
His outstanding performance against the 14th seed, Tommy Paul, with a score of 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, earned him a well-deserved spot in the quarterfinals and marked his debut appearance at Flushing Meadows.
As the U.S. Open progresses, the competition intensifies, and the remaining players continue to showcase their exceptional skills and determination.
Tennis enthusiasts around the world eagerly await the upcoming quarterfinal matches, as these athletes strive to etch their names in the annals of tennis history.
After the conclusion of the enthralling match, Shelton, adorned in his muscle-shirt, exuded an air of triumph as he proudly flexed his left biceps.
Positioned strategically beneath the section of seats where his esteemed father, a former touring professional who now serves as his coach, along with his beloved mother and sister, were seated, Shelton basked in the glory of his victory.
Reflecting upon the exhilarating moments that had just transpired, he attributed his success to the sheer rush of adrenaline coursing through his veins, particularly when executing those powerful left-handed serves that had left his opponents in awe.