“Still have a long way to go!” Coco Gauff becomes the first American teen to reach the US Open semifinals since Serena Williams as she HUMBLES Jelena Ostapenko

Gauff breezes past Ostapenko to make her first semifinal appearance at the US Open.

“Still have a long way to go!” Coco Gauff becomes the first American teen to reach the US Open semifinals since Serena Williams as she HUMBLES Jelena Ostapenko

Jelena Ostapenko and Coco Gauff (via IMAGO)

6th seed Coco Gauff put on a flawless performance in the quarterfinal of the US Open 2023 to defeat the 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko. The American no.2 defeated the 20th seed 6-0,6-2 in a statement win to help her reach the semi-final for the first time in her home Grand Slam. Ostapenko visibly struggles with her serve, conceding 7 break points and losing 6 while managing a serve% of just 38.

“It feels great, I’m so happy. I lost in the quarter-finals stage last year and wanted to do better this year. I have a long way to go but I’m happy and will get ready for the next one,” Gauff said in the on-court interview. “I didn’t feel comfortable at all the whole match, even at match point. She has the ability to come back no matter the scoreline so I was just trying to play every ball and hit it deep,” she added.

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The first set particularly was a struggle for Ostapenko as she lost 24 of the 31 points played while hitting 13 unforced errors. The set lasted for just 20 minutes. “Today I played well. This is my shortest match of the tournament by far so maybe I will get back and hit the [practice] courts,” the 19-year-old American said.

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Speaking about the improvements in her game with the new coaching team, Gauff remarked, “The defense has always been there, but I’ve been improving my offense and that’s showing on the court.”

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Coco Gauff equals Serena William’s record after the quarterfinal win

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Coco Gauff and Serena Williams (credits : Getty Images)

With an impressive victory in the quarterfinal encounter against Ostapenko, Coco Gauff became the first American teen to reach the US Open semifinals since Serena Williams. Gauff is also the youngest American women’s player to make the semi-finals of Grand Slams on multiple occasions (2) since Serena Williams made the semi-finals of the US Open 1999 and Wimbledon 2000. The American teen reached the final of the French Open in 2022.

The ecstatic American went on to take the hosting duties of the Arthur Ashe Stadium. “I’ll take the mic for this one. Coming up next is the #1 player in the world at the end of this tournament. 23 Slams… NOVAK DJOKOVIC!” Gauff said concluding her on-court interview.

The 19-year-old is on a 10-match winning streak and has won 16 of her last 17 matches. She will now face either Sorana Cîrstea or this year’s French Open runner-up Karolína Muchová in the semi-final.

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