Coco Gauff is feeling energized after overcoming a difficult start to defeat Elina Svitolina and secure her spot in the fourth round of the US Open.
In New York, Gauff found herself unaware that she had lost five consecutive matches to players ranked in the top 50 and had dropped 11 points in a row, ultimately losing the first set 3-6 to the 27th-seeded Svitolina. Recognizing the need for a change, the 20-year-old from Florida took a moment to regroup before the second set. She refreshed herself with water and changed part of her outfit, returning to the court with renewed focus and determination.
“I felt like a new person coming out,” Gauff said. “I just didn’t want to leave the court with any regrets.” She went on to win the match, taking the next two sets 6-3, 6-3.
Despite a rocky start characterized by numerous unforced errors and a low first serve percentage, Gauff regained her form as she became more aggressive with her forehands and cautious with her backhands. She also engaged the enthusiastic crowd, which helped fuel her comeback.
Svitolina later expressed that her performance was affected by an ankle injury from the previous week, acknowledging Gauff’s increased intensity during the match.
Everything turned in Gauff’s favor when she broke Svitolina’s serve to lead 4-2 in the second set, marking a pivotal moment. She sealed the second set with an ace and continued her momentum into the third, quickly establishing a lead before facing a brief struggle when serving for the match. However, she swiftly broke back to secure her victory.
Gauff’s win enhances her impressive record in deciding sets at major tournaments, bringing her to 15-5 in such matches, one of the best winning percentages among active players.
With this victory, Gauff is set to face No. 13 seed Emma Navarro, her teammate from the Paris Olympics, in the upcoming quarterfinals. Gauff’s journey in this year’s tournament contrasts sharply with her recent performance, and she hopes this comeback will provide the spark needed to jumpstart her season.