Coco Gauff demonstrated remarkable resilience in a three‑set thriller, rescuing two match points to defeat teenage French Open champion Mirra Andreeva and earn a place in the US Open semifinals opposite freshly crowned world No.1 Elena Rybakina. The encounter began disastrously for the 2023 champion, whose serve faltered and forehand sputtered, allowing Andreeva to steamroll the first set in a brisk 26 minutes.
Gauff managed only three winners while committing 14 unforced errors, a stark contrast to the level she had displayed earlier in the tournament. The second set saw a dramatic shift. Gauff steadied her game, forcing a tiebreak that would become the turning point. Andreeva, the Russian fifth seed, squandered two match points in the breaker, a lapse that seemed to erode her confidence.
Frustration boiled over when she flung her racket toward her chair, the projectile unintentionally heading toward a nearby camera operator who had to leap out of the way. The incident underscored the tension of the match and the thin line between composure and chaos on the big stage. Gauff eventually prevailed 2‑6, 7‑6 (7‑5), 6‑2, attributing her revival to a mental reset inspired by fellow American Frances Tiafoe’s recent comeback.
"I just had to reset," she explained. "After the first set I went to the restroom and thought about how Tiafoe fought back yesterday. I wanted to leave the court with no regrets, and the crowd really helped pull me through." Commentators Marion Bartoli and Tim Henman of Sky Sports praised Gauff’s tenacity. Bartoli highlighted the pure heart required to claw back a match, noting that Gauff’s ability to win such a fight sets her apart as one of the few players capable of producing a victory of this magnitude.
Henman observed that both competitors displayed brilliant tennis, but serving woes and unforced errors caused tension and a decline in ball speed. He emphasized that the beauty of tennis lies in maintaining focus, cutting down errors, and staying mentally sharp, especially after facing match points.
The victory propels Gauff into a semifinal showdown with Elena Rybakina, who secured the world No.1 ranking earlier in the day by defeating Qinwen Zheng and advancing to the last four. Rybakina, the 27‑year‑old Kazakhstani, will dethrone Aryna Sabalenka, whose 99‑week reign at the summit ends on Monday.
Although Rybakina’s ascent to the top spot is already assured regardless of Sabalenka’s performance, she remains focused on the immediate task: winning the US Open. "It’s just a number right now; I’m only in the semis and the goal is to win every tournament I play," Rybakina said, emphasizing her desire to stay present and enjoy the competition.
Rybakina’s quarterfinal against Zheng was a roller‑coaster. After dropping the first set 3‑6, she rebounded emphatically, taking the next two sets 6‑1, 6‑4.
Zheng, who had endured nearly 12 hours of court time across three qualifying rounds and five main‑draw matches, showed signs of fatigue in the decisive set. Rybakina admitted the match was challenging, describing it as "very difficult" with nerves and a lower level of play than she prefers. She reflected on her own negativity at the start, acknowledging the flood of unforced errors and the mental battle required to stay competitive.
Zheng’s run in New York, reminiscent of Emma Raducanu’s breakthrough, ultimately concluded, but she remains on the cusp of breaking back into the top 50 after a recent elbow surgery that dropped her ranking to 121. Her performance, despite the physical setbacks, earned praise from Henman, who noted her aggressive play from the back of the court and Rybakina’s class in tight moments of the third set. Looking ahead, the semifinal promises a clash of contrasting styles: Gauff’s aggressive baseline play and youthful vigor versus Rybakina’s powerful serve and relentless groundstrokes. Both athletes have shown the capacity to adapt under pressure—Gauff by overturning a near‑certain defeat, and Rybakina by rebounding from a shaky start against Zheng.
Their upcoming encounter will not only determine who advances to the final but also provide a glimpse into the evolving hierarchy of women’s tennis, where emerging talents are challenging established stars. Fans can catch the live action on Sky Sports starting August 30, with streaming options available on NOW and the Sky Sports App. The tournament continues to deliver high‑stakes drama, as illustrated by Gauff’s comeback and Rybakina’s ascent, setting the stage for an unforgettable semifinal and a potential new champion at Flushing Meadows.