Coco Gauff Rallies to Overcome Svitolina and Keep US Open Title Defense Alive

Defending champion Coco Gauff showcased her resilience at the US Open, coming from a set down to defeat Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, securing her place in the fourth round with a thrilling 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory. The American third seed, determined to become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2014 to defend the US Open title, fought back with the tenacity that has become her hallmark.

Gauff’s Grit Shines Through

Gauff’s journey in this match was far from easy. After dropping the first set, she found herself on the back foot against Svitolina, a seasoned competitor known for her fighting spirit. However, Gauff, backed by an electrifying home crowd, turned the tide with a series of powerful forehand winners and confident service games. Her decisive break in the second set ignited her comeback, leading to a dominant performance in the final set.

“This win means a lot,” Gauff admitted. “I knew today was going to be a tough match. Every time I play Elina, she’s a fighter. I knew I had to bring my best tennis.”

Gauff now prepares to face fellow American Emma Navarro, who herself advanced with a hard-fought victory over Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk. The upcoming clash is set to be a rematch of their Wimbledon encounter earlier this year, where Navarro stunned Gauff on Centre Court.

Sabalenka Survives a Scare

Last year’s US Open runner-up, Aryna Sabalenka, also faced a challenging path to the fourth round. The Belarusian, who recently overtook Gauff in the world rankings, battled back from a set down to defeat Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova in a late-night thriller, finishing at 1:49 am local time.

Sabalenka’s resilience was on full display as she shook off a frustrating first set to dominate the next two, winning 2-6, 6-1, 6-2. The Australian Open champion will now face Belgium’s Elise Mertens in what promises to be another intense encounter.

Other Notable Performances

The women’s draw saw several other standout performances on Friday. Spain’s Paula Badosa, a former world number two, saved a match point and clawed her way back to beat Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse in a thrilling 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (10-8) victory. Badosa, who has struggled with injuries this year, declared she is playing “maybe at one of the best levels” of her career as she eyes a deep run at the US Open.

Meanwhile, Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen continued her impressive form, cruising past Germany’s Jule Niemeier with a commanding 6-2, 6-1 win. Zheng, aiming for her first Grand Slam title, will face Wimbledon semi-finalist Donna Vekic in the next round.

The Road Ahead

As the US Open heats up, Gauff’s journey becomes increasingly challenging, with tough competitors like Navarro and potentially Sabalenka waiting in the wings. However, the young American’s determination and growing confidence suggest she’s more than ready to defend her crown.

Stay tuned as the drama unfolds at Flushing Meadows, with each match promising more excitement and intense battles on the road to the US Open final.