Gauff defeats Karolina Muchova to reach US Open women’s final

• Coco Gauff reached the second Grand Slam final of her career at the 2023 US Open by beating Karolina Muchova in straight sets
• Gauff, who turned 19 in March, is the youngest American woman to reach her home Grand Slam final since Serena Williams in 1999

Coco Gauff reached the second Grand Slam final of her career at the 2023 US Open by beating Karolina Muchova in straight sets. Gauff proved to be too good for her opponent, wrapping up a 6-4 7-5 victory in the semi-final played at Flushing Meadows in New York.

Gauff, who turned 19 in March, is the youngest American woman to reach her home Grand Slam final since Serena Williams in 1999. This will be the second time that the sixth seed will be attempting to win a Grand Slam singles final since finishing runner-up to Iga Swiatek at the 2022 French Open.

Coco Gauff is one victory away from winning her maiden Grand Slam. Photo/ USOpen.org.

Since Gauff broke into limelight in 2019 as a 15-year-old, she has been herald as a future Grand Slam champion. The American is now just one victory away from winning her maiden Grand Slam at the US Open. However, the final won’t be an easy one for the 19-year-old as she will be facing the incoming world number one Aryna Sabalenka.

Climate Protesters Disrupt Gauff-Muchova Match

Coco Gauff and Karolina Muchova had to stop play for 49 minutes as four protesters chanting for the end of fossil fuel interrupted the match. Security escorted three out but it took longer to remove the fourth protester because he had glued his feet to the floor. According to reports, the four protesters are in New York Police Department custody (NYPD).

The USTA issued the following statement regarding the stadium protesters: “Three of the four protesters were escorted out of the stadium without further incident. The fourth protester affixed their bare feet to the floor of the seating bowl. Due to the nature of this action, NYPD and medical personnel were needed in order to safely remove this individual from the stadium. The four protesters were taken into NYPD custody. In total, 49 minutes elapsed before play resumed.”

Gauff was leading 6-4 1-0 when play was interrupted. As police struggled to remove the protesters from the court, the American teenager sat on the bench beside the court for a while before starting to hit some practice serves.

On the other hand, Muchova held a short discussion with her trainer. The two players then left the court and returned to the locker room as it took too long to remove the fourth protester.

Four protesters halted the Gauff-Muchova match. Photo/ Report Wire.

After the two returned to court, the American teenager closed out a 6-4 7-5 win to book her spot in the US Open women’s final which will be played on Saturday.

Speaking after her victory against Karolina Muchova, Coco Gauff said the job is not yet done but it felt special to be playing at the US Open.

“Some of those points it was so loud, I don’t know if my ears will be OK. Please be louder – this is crazy. I grew up watching this tournament, it feels so special. But the job is not done.” Gauff told the crowd in her on-court interview, as per BBC Sports.