Coco Gauff came to the US Open this year still looking for her best performance, a far cry from the conditions that crowned the finest run of her life last year when she won her first Grand Slam title.
After a challenging start, Gauff turned to her fortitude and problem-solving skills to overcome a set disadvantage and advance to the fourth round with a commanding 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory over Elina Svitolina in front of a rowdy Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Gauff talked about it after the match and said: “It means a lot. I knew today was going to be a tough match; every time, Elina was a fighter. I knew I had to bring my best tennis; I thought I played well. I served much better than the last match except the last service game but overall I was proud of what I was able to do.”
Even though Gauff had cruised to this point with two effective performances, this match was always going to be the real test of her ability to defend the title.
Gauff’s next opponent is her rapidly improving countrywoman Emma Navarro, the 13th seed, who beat her in the Wimbledon last-round match earlier this month. After defeating 19th seed Marta Kostyuk 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, Navarro advanced to the New York fourth round.
After her recent win, Gauff declares that she hopes to live a regret-free life. She said: “I’m just trying to go out here and have fun. I know from winning one that just from the fourth round it’s still so far, a long way to go. I’m just focused on the match in front of me and just enjoying it. I wrote in my journal: ‘I don’t want to leave with any regrets.’ Regardless of the results, I was just trying to give myself the best opportunity to win.”
Gauff at the U.S. Open, ranking, and results in 2024
Currently ranked no.3, the American owns a compiled 41-14 record in 2024. Coco is currently playing at the U.S. Open where she beat the world no.66 Varvara Gracheva 6-2 6-0, the world no.99 Tatjana Maria 6-4 6-0 and the world no.28 Elina Svitolina 3-6 6-3 6-3.
Coco Gauff will compete against the world no.267 Sinja Kraus in the . In the past, they have never competed against each other until now in top events.
The American clinched 1 title in 2024 in Auckland.
Coco won 7 titles in her career: 5 on hard courts, 1 on clay courts and 1 on indoor courts. (See the list of her titles)
Coco Gauff |
| Embed from Getty Images |