The American tennis sensation, Coco Gauff, showcased her prowess by defeating the top-ranked Iga Swiatek in a gripping semi-final of the Cincinnati Open. This victory marks Gauff's first win over Swiatek in their eight face-offs. With the U.S. Open just around the corner, Gauff's outstanding form is making headlines.
Delivering powerful serves and demonstrating exceptional defensive skills, Gauff clinched the match with a score of 7-6(2) 3-6 6-4. Her next challenge is the final, where she's set to meet either the world number two, Aryna Sabalenka, or Czech tennis star Karolina Muchova.
The moment of triumph witnessed an ecstatic Gauff leaping into the air, thumping her chest, as the audience responded with roaring applause.
Reflecting on the challenging match against Swiatek, Gauff commented on Tennis Channel, “I knew playing her was going to be tough, nothing was going to be given to me today.”
She added, “I took my opportunities when I got them and just fought for every point. I was a little negative in the second set but I got it back and I was just telling myself, ‘You’re a warrior, you can do this.’”
Gauff's journey hasn't been without its obstacles. Many raised questions about her potential, especially after a disappointing early exit from Wimbledon last month. However, she emerged stronger, expressing, “I told myself I can either let this crush me or make me rise and I decided to make myself rise from it.”
In recent times, Gauff has demonstrated significant advancements in her game. Starting with the U.S. hard court circuit, she bagged the Washington DC title, reached the quarter-finals of the Canadian Open, and has now made her mark by reaching her maiden WTA 1000 event final. As she emphasized, “This shows that I can do it. A lot of people had doubts about my game but I’m still developing.” With her current form, she's undoubtedly a player to watch out for in the upcoming U.S. Open.
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