- Iga Swiatek quarterfinals offensive at the 2023 French Open pushed out American tennis player Coco Gauff
- Gauff was the only remaining American tennis player at Roland Garros after the Round of 16
- The 19-year-old left Paris after losing 6-4, 6-2
Iga Swiatek quarterfinals offensive at the 2023 French Open sent American tennis player Coco Gauff back home.
Gauff was the only remaining American tennis player at Roland Garros after the Round of 16. Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys and Shelby Rogers left the tournament earlier.
A year after falling to Swiatek in the championship match in straight sets, the 19-year-old left Paris after losing 6-4, 6-2.
In addition, Gauff has lost all six of their prior meetings with the Polish tennis star. Swiatek, a three-time Grand Slam champion gave it her all in the one-and-a-half-hour match.
Gauff, seeded third in WTA tour failed to seize the few opportunities she had to change her fortunes notably in the second set, and Swiatek fiercely took control.
Iga Swiatek. Photo/Sportskeeda
In a departure from last year’s final, Gauff tested Swiatek with high, slower balls to her backhand while attempting to prevent the top seed from settling into a pattern.
The American immediately recovered an early break, which worked to a point, but Swiatek raised her game to seal the set with an outstanding returning game.
Gauff’s huge chance came in the third game of the second set when she generated three break points, the third coming after slamming a point-blank backhand at Swiatek at the net, sending the Pole to the clay as she attempted to escape it.
Gauff quickly apologised, but Swiatek ultimately had the last laugh because the American missed all of her opportunities by a long shot.
And that would turn out to be the final opportunity, as the two-time winner won four straight matches to secure her place in the semifinals once more.
There, Swiatek will take on Beatriz Haddad Maia, who overcame a set deficit to upset Ons Jabeur and go to the French Open semifinals for the first time in the Open’s era.
The 14th seed once again had work to do after losing the opening set against seventh seed Jabeur after fighting for over four hours to defeat Sara Sorribes Tormo in the fourth round.
The second set, which was extremely close, finished in a tie-break, which Haddad Maia won. The Brazilian then easily won the third set, 3-6 7-6 (5) 6-1.
Haddad Maia, 27, who has never advanced past the fourth round at a slam, appeared completely dazed at the moment of victory.
Haddad Maia. Photo/REUTERS/Lisi Niesner
Though she will aim to emulate Brazilian grand slam champions Gustavo Kuerten and Maria Bueno, her performances outside of the majors have been very impressive.
She attributed her victory to being patient and determined against it all.
“I think one of my qualities is that I wait and I’m very patient and I never give up, so I wait for the moment because I know that my level is high. So even if I’m not playing well or even if I’m missing a few shots one moment, the tennis will appear, and I’ll have my opportunity to go for it,” WTA Tennis reports.
Meanwhile, Swiatek is optimistic she will add a fourth Grand Slam to her tennis career. She could end up facing Aryna Sabalenka who sailed through to the semifinals after defeating Elina Svitolina.
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