Coco Gauff displayed remarkable resilience at the French Open, bouncing back to defeat Madison Keys 6-7 (6), 6-4, 6-1 and secure a spot in the semifinals. Despite facing challenges, including 10 double-faults and dropping her first set of the tournament, Gauff’s determination shone through on a chilly, drizzly day in Paris.
The match was marked by a series of unforced errors from both American players, with a total of 101 errors compared to just 40 winners over more than two hours of play in the covered Court Philippe-Chatrier. Gauff, the No. 2 seed and recent U.S. Open champion, will next face either No. 6 seed Mirra Andreeva or wild-card entrant Loïs Boisson for a chance to reach another Grand Slam final.
Gauff acknowledged her performance with humility, stating, “I have a lot more work left to do, but I’m going to savor this one today.” She overcame a rocky start, falling behind 4-1 and almost being down 5-1. After a few missteps, she regained her focus, utilizing her speed and skill to extend points, ultimately forcing Keys into errors.
In the first set, Gauff struggled, recording only seven winners against 21 unforced errors, while Keys had 12 winners but a staggering 28 unforced errors of her own. Gauff attributed her success to her ability to capitalize on Keys’ mistakes, saying, “I knew that I just had to be able to run today and, as soon as the ball came short, just punish her for it.”
Keys recognized the challenge Gauff posed, noting that winning a point against her requires continuous effort. “With her ability to cover the court, you’re going to have to win the point multiple times before it’s actually over,” she remarked.
As Gauff prepares for her next match, fans and supporters alike are eagerly anticipating her continued journey at this prestigious tournament.
