Coco Gauff’s Impressive Run at the Australian Open Quarterfinals
Coco Gauff’s amazing streak of 19 service holds was snapped, marking the end of her run of 11 consecutive sets won. Despite committing three times as many unforced errors as winners, she managed to advance to the semifinals.
The No. 4 seed Gauff narrowly defeated 37th-ranked Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine 7-6 (6), 6-7 (3), 6-2 in a grueling 3-hour, 8-minute match, the longest Grand Slam match of the 19-year-old’s career, according to Tennis Abstract.
Gauff’s next challenge in Thursday’s semifinals will be against No. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, in a rematch of September’s U.S. Open final, which Gauff had won. Sabalenka, who hasn’t lost a set in the entire tournament, crushed ninth-seeded Czech Barbora Krejcikova 6-2, 6-3 in Tuesday’s later quarterfinal.
Despite the tough match, Gauff remains optimistic, saying, “Today was definitely a C game. Hopefully got the bad match out of the way and I can play even better.” She has now won 10 consecutive matches to start the season and 12 consecutive Grand Slam match wins, including her U.S. Open title in September.
In a standout moment during Tuesday’s victory, Gauff displayed immense resilience in a 76-minute first set, coming back from a 1-5 deficit to eventually force a tiebreak that she won. Kostyuk’s medical timeout for a blister on her big toe seemed to affect her performance as she struggled in the tiebreak.
Gauff’s determination and skill were evident as she fought through challenges and eventually emerged victorious. Her relentless spirit and drive were underscored by her inspiring post-match message on a court-level camera: “Fight!!!”
While Gauff’s performance was a bit frustrating for her at times, she ultimately found her rhythm and executed her game plan. Her tenacity and ability to adapt are commendable, serving as a testament to her growth and maturity as a player.
Tuesday’s matches at the Australian Open also saw Novak Djokovic beat 12th-seeded American Taylor Fritz to reach a record-extending 48th men’s Grand Slam singles semifinal. He will face the winner of the quarterfinal between No. 4 Jannik Sinner of Italy and No. 5 Andrey Rublev of Russia.
In addition to the thrilling matchups, the historical context of these players’ journeys and achievements adds depth to the excitement of the Australian Open. As Gauff and her fellow competitors continue to make their mark in the tournament, they are undeniably contributing to the rich tapestry of tennis history.
