Coco Gauff extends US Open title defense, rallies to defeat Elina Svitolina

In a gripping showdown at the U.S. Open, Coco Gauff staged a remarkable comeback after dropping the first set to defeat Elina Svitolina 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the third round. The victory allows the 20-year-old American to continue her defense of the Grand Slam title she secured last year.

The match took place at Arthur Ashe Stadium, where Gauff struggled early on, making a number of unforced errors in the first set. Despite her efforts, she lost the final eleven points of the set to the 27th-seeded Svitolina, a seasoned player with multiple major semifinal appearances.

Recognizing her opponent’s resilience, Gauff stated, “She’s a fighter. I knew I had to play my best.”

After the difficult start, Gauff found her rhythm, winning nine out of eleven games in a pivotal stretch, showcasing her ability to overcome adversity. This tactic isn’t new, as she repeated this comeback pattern during her journey to the 2023 U.S. Open title, even facing a set deficit in the championship match against Aryna Sabalenka.

Reflecting on her strategy, Gauff shared, “I tried to be more aggressive on my forehand side, and tried to make less errors on the backhand.” Simple adjustments made a significant impact.

At the end of the first set, Gauff’s performance stats were concerning, with 16 unforced errors—nine from her backhand—and only seven winners. She also struggled with her serve, getting only 45% of her first serves in and failing to convert on her break points. However, her game improved significantly in the subsequent sets.

Beyond technical adjustments, Gauff focused on enhancing her connection with the audience. Listening to her coaches, who noticed the crowd’s anticipation, she made an effort to engage the spectators. “My team was kind of like telling me that (the fans) were on the edge of their seats,” Gauff explained. “So I said, ‘OK, I need to erupt so you guys can erupt.’”

This match ended Gauff’s five-match losing streak against top 50 adversaries, a much-needed boost for her after a tough spell in which she won only five of her previous nine matches. This situation is a stark contrast to last year, when she boasted an impressive record of 18 wins out of 19 and secured two hard-court titles leading to her U.S. Open victory, making her the first U.S. teenager to win at Flushing Meadows since Serena Williams in 1999.

On Sunday, Gauff will look to secure her spot in the quarterfinals, facing off against 13th seed Emma Navarro from the U.S. Navarro recently overcame 19th-seeded Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine in a hard-fought match, winning 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. This will set the stage for a highly anticipated rematch, as Navarro defeated Gauff in the fourth round of Wimbledon last month.

The turning point in Friday’s match occurred after Gauff managed to break Svitolina to establish a 4-2 lead in the second set, hitting a cross-court forehand winner. She celebrated passionately, urging the crowd to amplify their support as she began to find her form.

With newfound momentum, Gauff controlled the second set, finishing it off with a strong 94 mph ace, signaling her confidence to the audience.

In the third set, bolstered by the presence of UConn women’s basketball stars Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd in her guest box, Gauff secured an early break and quickly moved ahead 2-0. Demonstrating remarkable stamina, she engaged in a 38-stroke rally that ended with Svitolina sending a backhand wide, showcasing Gauff’s determination.

At one point, the score leaned in favor of Gauff at 5-1. However, she faced some pressure while serving for the match at 5-2 when she squandered three match points and was broken. Undeterred, Gauff bounced back immediately, broke Svitolina once again, and ultimately wrapped up the match smoothly.

Source: AP