Coco Gauff comes after a set deficit in the round of 16 of the French Open and wins 12 of the last 14 games as number 6 of the Americans
- Last year’s runner-up Coco Gauff has moved into the fourth round of the French Open
- But the American had to overcome a shaky start against 16-year-old Mirra Andreeva
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Coco Gauff eventually wore down 16-year-old Mirra Andreeva and made it to the fourth round of the French Open, but the young Russian’s performance was enough to put Wimbledon in a dilemma.
Despite losing 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-1, Andreeva underscored what an exciting talent she is and that her nominal rank of 143 is completely unrealistic.
Because of that low number, which is a result of only playing a few tournaments, she missed out on direct access to the Wimbledon main draw. Under normal circumstances, she would be guaranteed a wild card.
However, their nationality is the problem. After the All England Club reluctantly allowed the Russians to return this summer under the pressure of international touring, it will be difficult for the All England Club to give her privileged access that her level of play undoubtedly deserves.
Andreeva is a radiant young talent with a tennis head on her shoulders well beyond her years. She maneuvers the ball across the field with great maturity and no small amount of power.
Coco Gauff advanced to the round of 16 of the French Open after a 6: 7, 6: 1, 6: 1 win on Saturday
The American star overcame a shaky start, defeating 16-year-old Mirra Andreeva in the third round
Therefore, this game is envisioned as the match between Gauff, the former child prodigy who has yet to make his breakthrough, and the young man who arguably has even more promise.
It was a stellar first set, with Andreeva prevailing 7-5 in the tie-break, but not before reminding everyone of her age by toying with failure.
After losing a second set point when the score was 6-4, she angrily threw the ball into the crowd and wouldn’t have had much to complain about had she failed. Instead, a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct was reported, which she completed.
The greater strength and experience of her 19-year-old opponent showed after that, but it’s clear that Andreeva will be back.
In the quarterfinals, Gauff could meet top seed Iga Swiatek, who defeated Xinyu Wang 6-0 and 6-0. Defending champion Swiatek’s path to the final looks easier after the sudden withdrawal of fourth seed Elena Rybakina, who withdrew ahead of her match due to a virus.
Gauff has won 12 of the last 14 games and could play his compatriot and qualifier Kayla Day next
Meanwhile, Anna-Karolina Schmiedlova defeated American qualifier Kayla Day 6-1, 6-3, but American Bernarda Pera defeated Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-4, 7-6 (2).
As for the men, those who remain can breathe a sigh of relief in the absence of Rafael Nadal, who celebrated his 37th birthday on Saturday by undergoing remedial surgery for a hip muscle injury that prevented him from claiming the fifteenth title in Paris.
Cleaning the affected area was considered a success, but there’s no chance he’ll play again this season.
“Rafa will start his progressive functional rehabilitation in a few hours and the normal recovery process is estimated at five months,” said a spokesman for the Spaniard.