American tennis star Coco Gauff continued her dominant run at the French Open, cruising past Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska in straight sets (6-2, 6-4) to secure a place in the fourth round. This victory keeps Gauff on track for her first French Open title and potentially ends a three-year clay-court title drought.
The 20-year-old Gauff, seeded third in the tournament, showcased her prowess in the opening set. Her strong returns rattled Yastremska, the 30th seed, who struggled to find consistency with her powerful groundstrokes and serve. Capitalizing on these weaknesses, Gauff secured two breaks of serve to take the first set 6-2 comfortably.
The second set proved slightly trickier for Gauff. Yastremska, a surprise Australian Open semi-finalist earlier this year, displayed glimpses of her attacking style. She managed to break Gauff’s serve twice, forcing the American to dig deep. However, Gauff, showing commendable resilience, battled back to break Yastremska’s serve on two occasions herself. Even facing a match point at 5-2, she remained composed and eventually sealed the victory with another unforced error from Yastremska.
Gauff’s win highlights her well-rounded game. Her powerful serve and return game put pressure on her opponents, while her ability to stay calm under pressure proved crucial in the tighter second set. This victory extends her perfect record at the tournament so far, having not dropped a single set in her three matches.
Looking ahead, Gauff’s next challenge will be Italian qualifier Elisabetta Cocciaretto, currently ranked 51st in the world. While Cocciaretto’s impressive run to the fourth round shouldn’t be underestimated, Gauff will be the clear favorite based on her current form and experience. This match could be a defining moment in Gauff’s career, and the anticipation is high.
Gauff’s journey at the French Open holds particular significance. She was the runner-up here in 2022, and a win this year would not only be her first French Open title but also a potential turning point in her clay-court performances. Her last title on clay came in 2021, and a victory in Paris would mark a significant return to form on this surface. This title could be a game-changer for Gauff, elevating her status in the tennis world.
Beyond the personal milestone, a French Open title for Gauff would solidify her position as one of the sport’s leading young stars. Having already secured a US Open title in 2023, a win at Roland-Garros would further establish her dominance across different surfaces.
Coco Gauff’s cruise into the fourth round shows her talent and determination. With a crucial match against Cocciaretto looming, all eyes will be on the American to see if she can continue her dominant run and lift her first French Open trophy.
