**Gauff beats Svitolina**: In a thrilling match at the US Open, defending champion Coco Gauff came back from a set down to beat Ukrainian Elina Svitolina and reach the fourth round of the tournament. The American third seed’s bid to become the first woman to defend the title since Serena Williams in 2014 is still alive after a hard-fought 3-6 6-3 6-3 victory on Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.
The 20-year-old American continued her momentum by breaking Svitolina’s serve twice to surge into a 4-1 lead. However, she then failed to convert three match points while trying to serve out the match before eventually securing the win by breaking Svitolina to love in the next game, screaming to the crowd in delight.
Gauff, who won her first Grand Slam title at the age of 19 at last year’s US Open, said, “This win means a lot. 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. I thought I played well. I served much better than last match except the last service game but overall I was proud of what I was able to do.”
Early Struggles: Gauff’s Bumpy Ride to Victory
Svitolina earned the first break of the match in the eighth game when she superbly broke to love after Gauff’s backhand could only find the net. A nervous silence then fell on the main show court at Flushing Meadows and Gauff could be heard saying to her team “I’m missing so much in the net”. This early struggle showed that Gauff’s path to victory would not be an easy one.
Three-time Grand Slam semi-finalist Svitolina, 29, then followed-up the break of serve with a hold to love to secure the first set. The momentum was on Svitolina’s side, leaving Gauff to dig deep and find her best tennis to stay in the match. After saving a break point, Gauff set up the first of her own in the sixth game of the second set and converted it with a brilliant cross-court forehand winner.
Gauff’s Turnaround: A Rally to Remember
With her confidence boosted and the crowd behind her, Gauff then held serve to take firm control of the second set. After a Svitolina hold, Gauff served out the set to love to force a decider, letting out a huge roar in front of her home crowd. This marked a turning point in the match, with Gauff’s determination and skill propelling her forward.
Game-Changer: Gauff’s Improved Service Game
Gauff’s improved service game was a key factor in her comeback. Her serves became more accurate and powerful, leaving Svitolina struggling to return them. This allowed Gauff to take control of the match and dictate the pace of play. Her improved serves also gave her the confidence to take more risks and play more aggressively, which ultimately paid off.
Fourth Round Showdown: Gauff to Face Emma Navarro
Gauff will take on compatriot Emma Navarro in the fourth round after her 6-4 4-6 6-3 win over Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk. The two Americans met in the fourth round of Wimbledon this year, with Navarro causing a shock on Centre Court. This match promises to be a thrilling contest between two talented young players.
Paula Badosa’s Comeback: A Match Point Saved
In other action in the women’s draw on Friday, Spaniard Paula Badosa saved a match point as she came behind to beat Romanian Elena-Gabriela Ruse. Badosa, seeded 26th, needed a match tie-break to book a spot in the fourth round for the first time with a 4-6 6-1 7-6 (10-8) victory. This remarkable comeback showed Badosa’s determination and resilience in the face of adversity.
Badosa, 26, will take on Wang Yafan next after the Chinese player overcame former world number one Victoria Azarenka 6-4 3-6 6-1. Badosa’s win is all the more impressive given her struggles with injury over the past year. As she said, “It means so much, and after what I’ve been through the last year, for me it’s very special to already be on this level.”
Azarenka’s Early Exit: A Disappointing Loss
Azarenka’s loss to Wang Yafan was a disappointing result for the former world number one. Despite her experience and skill, she was unable to overcome the Chinese player’s strong serves and aggressive play. This early exit from the tournament will be a blow to Azarenka’s confidence and ranking.
A New Generation of Tennis Stars
The US Open has seen a new generation of tennis stars emerge, with players like Gauff, Navarro, and Badosa making waves in the tournament. These young players are bringing a fresh and exciting style of play to the court, with their skills and determination on full display. As the tournament progresses, it will be interesting to see how they fare against more experienced opponents.
As the US Open continues, tennis fans can expect more thrilling matches and surprising upsets. With the likes of Gauff, Navarro, and Badosa leading the charge, the future of women’s tennis looks bright indeed.