- Coco Gauff remains on course to win her first Grand Slam after recording victory over former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki
- Gauff’s victory ended Wozniacki’s extraordinary comeback run after a three-and-a-half year absence from tennis
Coco Gauff remains on course to win her first Grand Slam after recording victory over former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki. The 19-year-old secured a hard-fought 6-3 3-6 6-1 in New York to book her spot in the fourth round of the US Open.
Gauff’s victory ended Wozniacki’s extraordinary comeback run after a three-and-a-half year absence from tennis. The Danish star, who announced her return to tennis two months ago, was heavily pregnant during last year’s US Open. She returned to the WTA Tour last month.
The loss marks the end of an incredible run for Wozniacki. Photo/ The Spun.
Speaking to her press conference after the match against Coco Gauff, Caroline Wozniacki spoke about how tennis has changed since her return.
“It’s different. I had two kids. I want to be a good role model for them. I obviously want to be a good role model for the kids out there. But I’m also a competitor. I’m just out there to fight my hardest. I think I’ve always done that. I’m trying to do that with respect to my opponent and everything else. I wear many hats. But I just try to do my best wherever I am.” Eurosport quotes Caroline Wozniacki.
Caroline Wozniacki finished as runner-up in the 2009 and 2014 US Open events. She was hoping to at least win the title this time but has been stopped by a young determined Coco Gauff.
How Coco Gauff Beat Caroline Wozniacki
Wozniacki began by breaking Gauff in her opening service game. However, the 19-year-old was able to overcome the nervy start to level the scores at 2-2. She then got the decisive break and took a 5-3 lead before serving out the set.
Wozniacki began the second set on a high note and took a 5-3 lead. At this point, there was little that Gauff could do to stop her from taking the set and forcing a decider.
With the match knotted at one set piece, Gauff stepped up and took a 3-1 lead. With the crowd fully behind her, the teenager took her fifth break of the match to distance herself for good at 5-1 and eventually claim the set 6-1.
Coco Gauff, who is 14 years younger than Wozniacki, said it was an honour to play against the Dane. The 19-year-old also said that Wozniacki has been her inspiration growing up. Gauff was just three years old when Wozniacki made her tour-level debut back in 2005.
Coco Gauff is through to the US Open quarter-finals. Photo/ Eurosport.
“Caroline, she’s back. It’s like she never left. The level that she played today is really amazing. She’s been an inspiration for me growing up. She definitely gets to a lot of balls.” US Open quotes Gauff.
Since her opening-round loss at Wimbledon a few month ago, Gauff has now won 15 of her last 16 matches. This amazing run helped her win titles in Washington and Cincinnati.
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