New York: American tennis star Coco Gauff advanced to the US Open quarter-finals with a straight-sets victory over compatriot Iva Jovic, keeping alive her bid for a second Grand Slam title on home soil.
Gauff defeated Jovic 6-1, 6-4 in one hour and 33 minutes to reach the US Open quarter-finals for the first time in three years. It was also the 12th Grand Slam quarter-final of her career.
The 21-year-old has now won 20 consecutive sets, having last dropped a set against Liudmila Samsonova in the second round of the Cincinnati Open. Gauff will next face French Open champion Mirra Andreeva, against whom she has won all five of their previous meetings, all on clay.
“I think I just welcome it,” Gauff said, according to the WTA website. “A quarterfinal for me, I feel like I am at the point where I am used to being in this position. I am constantly putting myself in quarterfinals, so the moment does not seem as big anymore.”
Meanwhile, Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina continued her push for the world No. 1 ranking by defeating two-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka 6-1, 6-4 to reach the US Open quarter-finals for the first time. The victory also saw her reach the last eight at all four Grand Slam tournaments.
Rybakina could move to the top of the rankings if she beats Zheng Qinwen in the semi-finals on Wednesday. She has dropped only 25 games across her first four rounds, the second-fewest among the remaining quarter-finalists behind defending champion Aryna Sabalenka.
The two-time Grand Slam champion hit 29 winners and seven aces while committing just 17 unforced errors against Osaka. “I honestly did not expect it. I played really well today,” Rybakina said.
“I want it. I do not know anyone who wouldn’t wish this. But definitely that is one of my goals. I try to approach the same way. Try to do everything I can. Fight until the end of my next match, and let’s see what is gonna happen,” she added.
