US Open Tennis
- The sixth seed Gauff beats the Danish wildcard 6:3, 3:6, 6:1
- The American reached the quarterfinals of the US Open for the second time
As Coco Gauff struggled to slow the momentum working against her in the final set of her tense fourth-round bout against Caroline Wozniacki at Arthur Ashe Stadium, her coaching staff had some advice. Gauff’s new coach, Brad Gilbert, suggested it was time for her to hit with more spin, prioritize consistency and score longer.
But Gauff had already politely asked her team to stop acting as her advisor, and in one of the most important moments of her season, she took matters into her own hands. Instead of waiting patiently behind the baseline as instructed, she forced her way in and attacked relentlessly. After a tense, physical and fascinating generational battle, Gauff emerged victorious over Wozniacki, winning 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 and returning to the quarterfinals of the US Open.
US Open: Gauff ends Wozniacki’s run, Tiafoe and Shelton into the quarterfinals – as it happened
“The 2-1 was the turning point,” said the number six seeded team about their comeback after being down by a break in the final set. “I showed that I was still in the game after the break. I started taking my shots. I was still aggressive, I think I made a few mistakes in the second, but Caroline, she’s back. It’s like she never left. The level she played today was amazing. She was an inspiration to me growing up.”
This was the most anticipated game of the tournament so far and the protagonists had a lot in common. They are two of the best athletes of their generation, both with great backhands and successful at a young age. However, in the early stages of her career, further success was limited by her forehand, which was the focus of the rest of the tour.
Although she conceded her first serve game, the 19-year-old played an excellent opening set. In the many long, physical conversations that took place over time, she found an effective balance between taking initiative and insisting on consistency, and she achieved many successes. Above all, the American served very well, repeatedly scored free points and mixed her serve well. This was in contrast to Wozniacki, who allowed Gauff too many looks on her poor second serves and was punished for it.
Caroline Wozniacki won the second set but lost the third set 1:6. Photo: Larry Marano/UPI/Shutterstock
But the Dane’s ability to solve problems and figure out how to win games is undeniable. After a frustrating first set, she began the second by finding many more first serves and she focused her game, making minimal unforced errors as she challenged Gauff to consistently hit through her. As the rallies became longer and harder with no end in sight, Gauff’s forehand began to crumble. She finished the set with 16 unforced forehand errors.
As Gauff tried to stem the tide of forehand errors, the constant advice from her coaches Pere Riba and Gilbert began to irritate her, prompting her to ask them to stop. Cue Gauff responded with a full-throttle attack, an immediate counterattack, restoring her excellent serving form and staying on top while securing a significant win.
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No matter who she faces in the quarterfinals on Tuesday, it won’t be any easier for Gauff. She will face either top seed Iga Swiatek, who she beat for the first time in Cincinnati last month, or Jelena Ostapenko, who she beat at the Australian Open. But after the misery of her first-round loss at Wimbledon, Gauff has made another deep run at a Grand Slam tournament after a spectacular hard-court summer, further establishing herself as a contender and making it in her own way.
After two difficult tournaments, Wozniacki leaves New York with an excellent performance after being retired for three years.
Not only did she defeat No. 11 seed Petra Kvitova, but the wildcard showed that if she keeps working, both her level and her physicality are high enough to play a role next year.
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