Key Takeaways
- Coco Gauff saved two match points to defeat No. 5 seed Mirra Andreeva 2-6, 7-6 (7), 6-2 in the US Open quarterfinals.
- After dropping the first set and missing a set point at 5-3 in the second, Gauff survived a 21-shot rally and two Andreeva forehand errors in the tie-break.
- Crediting her mental resilience, Gauff stated: “The game may not always show up, but I can control the belief in myself.”
American star overcomes errors to pull off quarterfinal escape
Coco Gauff showed remarkable resilience at the US Open, surviving two match points to orchestrate an impressive comeback against fifth seed Mirra Andreeva. The fourth-seeded American emerged victorious with a 2-6, 7-6 (7), 6-2 scoreline to secure her place in the semifinals.
Things initially looked bleak for the 2023 champion. Struggling with both her serve and high unforced error numbers, Gauff hit three double faults, dropped serve three times, and conceded 14 unforced errors during a difficult opening set.
Dramatic tie-break turnaround turns the match
Gauff began to turn the momentum in the second set, building a 5-3 lead. However, she was unable to convert a set point on her own delivery, allowing Andreeva to fight back and take the set into a high-stakes tie-break. The young Russian quickly gained the upper hand, moving ahead 6-5 to earn her first match point.
What followed was an intense 21-shot baseline exchange. Gauff focused on simply keeping the ball in play, and her patience was rewarded when Andreeva hit a forehand long. Andreeva created a second opportunity to close out the contest at 7-6, but she misfired again with a forehand unforced error. Seizing the opening, Gauff captured the next two points to level the match before breaking Andreeva twice in a commanding final set.
Self-belief powers Gauff into another semifinal
Addressing reporters in her post-match press conference, Gauff explained the mindset that allowed her to dig out of trouble, emphasizing that she focused on “believing in myself” when her standard tennis abandoned her.
“Just believing is all I can do,” Gauff said. “The game may not always show up, but I can control the belief in myself. Even if it’s delusional. I think the more instances that I keep showing up and being successful in those moments, maybe the delusion will be more factual.”
The victory propels the American into her second career US Open semifinal, where she will face Elena Rybakina.
WTA U.S. Open - Cori Gauff's projected path
Gauff at the U.S. Open, ranking, and results in 2026
Currently ranked no.4, Gauff achieved an overall 45-13 win-loss record in 2026. Coco is now having a run at the U.S. Open where she toppled the world no.53 Zeynep Sonmez 6-3 6-4, the world no.87 Paula Badosa 6-4 7-6(5), the world no.40 Cristina Bucsa 6-3 6-4, the world no.14 Iva Jovic 6-1 6-4 and the world no.5 Mirra Andreeva 2-6 7-6(7) 6-2.
Cori Gauff will come up against the world no.2 Elena Rybakina in the semifinal on Thursday at 9:00 pm on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Their current record is 1-1.
The American conquered 1 title in 2026 in Cincinnati.
Gauff won 13 titles in her career: 9 on hard courts, 2 on clay courts and 2 on indoor courts. (See the list of her titles)
