Coco Gauff shrugged off the service problems that haunted her earlier in the week to storm past Magdalena Frech and reach the fourth round of the US Open on Saturday.
The 2022 Flushing Meadows champion beat her Polish opponent 6-3 6-1 in one hour and 13 minutes to set up a clash with either Naomi Osaka, who defeated Daria Kasatkina 6-0 4-6 6-3 later in the day.
Gauff had been left in tears, such were her issues on serve during her second-round win over Donna Vekic, having recently teamed up with biomechanics specialist Gavin MacMillan to make a change to her technique ahead of the tournament.
There were no such problems on this occasion as the 21-year-old dominated Frech in all departments to comfortably book her spot in the second week.
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Coco Gauff says she has used the panic attack she suffered during the first set changeovers during her clash against Donna Vekic as a learning experience and expressed gratitude for all the support she has received since
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Gauff reflected on how she used her difficult moments against Vekic as learning experiences.
“I think it was a panic attack,” she said. “I’ve had them before off court but it was the first time it happened to me on the court.”
“I was trying to calm myself down and breathe in the moment and that was why I went to the bathroom after the first set to reset.
“It was one of the moments where I was like ‘I want to get off the court right now and it be over with’. I think I needed it to happen because the support I got afterwards I realised how much people love me and how much I should love myself in those moments.
“It was a learning experience, I’ll remember it for the rest of my career and know there’s a lot more to be grateful for than losing on a court.”
Gauff’s serve has emerged as a prevalent talking point in recent months and retained much of the focus heading into Saturday’s contest in light of a torrid evening against Vekic.
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Gauff recovered from her service woes in the previous round
It had prompted an amplified greeting from the Arthur Ashe crowd in view of lifting their home favourite, who responded with a calm, composed and largely clinical display to dampen any momentary glimmer of Frech momentum.
Gauff was encouraged by a confident start at the baseline as she landed 79 per cent of first serves in while winning 64 per cent of first serve points on her way to clinching the opener 6-3.
It wasn’t without its setbacks, though, as Gauff surrendered an early 3-0 advantage to lose three straight games and allow Frech level, squandering two break points against the Pole’s serve at 3-2.
Gauff refused to panic and came out firing to open up a 40-0 lead on serve before restoring her advantage with a crucial hold. She capitalised moments later by converting a third break point for 5-3, and clinched the set on a long forehand from Frech.
One-way traffic ensured in the second set, during which Gauff landed 72 per cent of first serves in, while winning 85 per cent of first serve points and converting three of five break points for 6-1.
“I thought today I played well. It was tough playing two night matches and then playing with the shade, but overall I’m really happy with how I played and to be through to the next round,” said Gauff in her on-court interview.
“It’s been an emotional week but I needed those tough moments to be able to move forward. I was putting so much pressure on myself but I’m out here trying to enjoy it and not focus not so much on results but the process and today showed I was having fun out there.
“The support means a lot. I can’t put into words how privileged I feel to walk on court and have the support. I appreciate every person even down to the staff here, everybody saying they’re rooting for me every five steps I walk in this place. I hope I repay the feeling.”
Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff to face off
Gauff leads the head to head 3-2.
The only time they played at the US Open, Osaka won in 2019.
A battle of US Open champions.
Elite ball striking vs elite movement.
Osaka sets up Gauff clash
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Osaka continued her return to title contention by overcoming Kasatkina in three sets to tee up a fascinating matchup with Gauff.
The former two-time US Open champion is into the second week of a Grand Slam for the first time since 2021, when she won the Australian Open.
It awaits as the first meeting at the US Open between Gauff and Osaka since the latter defeated her friend and rival 6-3 6-0.
“Can somebody come to the match and cheer for me?” Osaka joked in her on-court interview. “It’s kinda tough playing an American here, but I hope you guys kind of adopted me as well.”
“I kinda see her as a little sister so it’s cool to be playing here again.”
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Kasatkina was guilty of 14 double faults across the match, eight of which arrived in a first set dominated by Osaka who led without losing a game.
The tide turned in the second when Kasatkina raced out to a 4-1 lead, only to be pegged back to 4-4 before holding her nerve to draw level in the match. She converted four of five break points in the process while limiting the unforced errors and problems from the service line.
Osaka restored order in the third and deciding set, as she won 89 per cent of first serve points while working her way towards the next round.
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‘Gauff looked more relaxed’
Sky Sports’ Laura Robson…
“It was a relief almost to see her almost enjoy herself on court at times. It’s been so challenging these first couple of rounds, to play in the day session, to have a bit less pressure, and the conditions suited her game a lot more than the night conditions. Everything added up where it felt like she relaxed more.
“Usually we see her tense up at 30-30 or deuce with the serve, but we saw her accelerate into the shot, it makes such a change in mentality when she can sit on the change of ends and not feel so worried.
“Frech didn’t have the type of tennis or gameplan that would challenge Coco from the baseline. Physically she wouldn’t be able to match up with Coco’s athleticism.
“It allows you time. Coco needed time to play her way into form. I don’t think she’s played her best tennis either.”
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During Aryna Sabalenka’s third-round victory over Leylah Fernandez at the US Open, a fan proposed in the stands at the Louis Armstrong Stadium
Swiatek survives Kalinskaya scare
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Iga Swiatek clawed her way back from 5-1 down in the opening set against Anna Kalinskaya before grinding out victory
Iga Swiatek’s first evening under the bright lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium nearly turned into a nightmare before the world No 2 summoned her championship resolve to beat Anna Kalinskaya 7-6 (7-2) 6-4.
The Wimbledon winner found herself staring down the barrel at 5-1 in the opening set of their third-round clash as Russian 29th seed Kalinskaya threatened to repeat her stunning upset victory over Swiatek in Dubai last year.
“Well, for sure it wasn’t the easy match, especially after the beginning,” a relieved Swiatek said. “I’m happy that I came back and started playing better, because for sure I did some mistakes in the beginning of the first set that I wish didn’t happen.”
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The Pole steadied herself at the key moments, serving up a masterclass in mental fortitude to claw her way back into contention.
She saved four set points in the first, eventually dominating the tie-break 7-2, and broke late in the second to notch her 20th major match win of the season, drawing level with defending champion and world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
Venus continues age-defying run
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Venus Williams continued her age-defying run in the women’s doubles as she and Canadian Leylah Fernandez beat Norwegian Ulrikke Eikeri and Japan’s Eri Hozumi 7-6 (7-1) 6-1 on Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Organisers moved the match from the Grandstand to Armstrong at the last minute, where throngs of fans went to watch the 45-year-old completely in sync with her partner 23 years her junior.
“We both have very aggressive games. We’re looking to move forward, we’re looking to control the point,” said Williams. “We have very similar mindset, similar attitude.”
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