- American Star Saves Two Match Points to Defeat French Open Champion Mirra Andreeva in Thrilling Fightback
NEW YORK: Inspired by Frances Tiafoe’s remarkable comeback at the US Open, American tennis star Coco Gauff produced a stunning fightback of her own on Wednesday, saving two match points before defeating reigning French Open champion Mirra Andreeva to reach the tournament’s semi-finals.
The fourth-ranked Gauff, a 22-year-old American and two-time Grand Slam champion, overcame a difficult start to beat Andreeva 2-6, 7-6 (9-7), 6-2 in a dramatic quarter-final at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Gauff Survives Match Points in Tense Second Set
Gauff struggled to find her rhythm in the opening set as Andreeva took control and moved within one set of victory.
The second set proved decisive. After four consecutive service breaks, the contest went into a tense tie-break, where the Russian teenager earned two match points.
However, Andreeva failed to convert either opportunity, sending forehands wide on both occasions. Gauff capitalized on the opening, securing the tie-break before taking complete control of the deciding set.
“I was just really determined to not lose that second set,” Gauff said after the match. “One point turned into another. Once the third set started, I felt pretty confident I was going to come out with that one.”
Tiafoe’s Comeback Provides Inspiration
Gauff acknowledged that compatriot Frances Tiafoe’s dramatic comeback victory the previous day had inspired her own fightback.
Tiafoe had rallied from two sets down to defeat fellow American Alex Michelsen in a five-set thriller, and Gauff said watching his determination helped reinforce her belief that the match was still within reach.
“Sometimes you just need a little bit of inspiration, and Frances was that for me in that moment,” Gauff said.
She praised Tiafoe as a positive influence on the tennis tour, describing him as someone who consistently supports fellow players and their families.
“He’s a rare person in this world and in this sport,” Gauff said, while joking that she hoped Tiafoe would not see her complimentary remarks.
Gauff to Face Rybakina in Semi-Final
Gauff will now face Elena Rybakina in the semi-finals at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The second-ranked Kazakh defeated Chinese qualifier Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, securing her place in the last four and ensuring that she will rise to world number one next week.
The semi-final presents another major challenge for Gauff as she seeks to add a second US Open title to her Grand Slam record following her triumph at Flushing Meadows in 2023.
Historic Moment for Black Tennis
Gauff also reflected on the significance of three Black players — herself, Tiafoe and Ben Shelton — reaching the final stages of the US Open.
Tiafoe and Shelton will meet in Friday’s men’s semi-final, guaranteeing that one of them will advance to the final in pursuit of becoming the first American man to win a Grand Slam singles title in more than two decades.
“It’s so incredible,” Gauff said. “Especially on the men’s side, I never thought I’d be able to have the chance to see an all-Black semi-final between the guys in my lifetime.”
She added that having herself competing in the women’s semi-finals made the moment even more special.
‘Believing Is All I Can Do’
Gauff said the dramatic victory reinforced her confidence and determination to continue competing through difficult moments.
“Just believing is all I can do,” she said. “The game may not always show up, but I can control the belief in myself.”
The American star’s resilience once again came to the forefront at Flushing Meadows, where she transformed a match that appeared to be slipping away into a memorable victory — and another opportunity to challenge for a Grand Slam title.
BY: The Times Union
