Coco Gauff did not quite hit the ground running against her highly anticipated match against the in-form Caroline Garcia, as she only managed to get a game on the score board after nearly half an hour of play. She trailed 1-4, desperately needing to stay alive in the opening set – her smart serving, not necessarily quick consistent serving, got her out of trouble in some moments.
She entered the encounter relying on the US crowd to fuel her, but Gauff has previously shown the ability to adjust her game to suit the situations she finds herself in in some of her toughest matches. She adapts to pressure even as a player who often needs to be confident in order to produce her best tennis.
However, Garcia’s forehand as well as her hands at the fore court were steady and troublesome for Gauff. She controlled the rallies by forcing the American to play defensively behind the baseline before delivering stunning down-the-line forehand winners.
Garcia won the opening set 6-3 to an almost silent crowd.
SET 1 Stats:
1st serves in play – Gauff 77% Garcia – 49%
1st serve pts W – Gauff 58% Garcia 78%
Winners – Gauff 9 – Garcia 10
BP’s W – Gauff 1/2 Garcia 2/4
Garcia’s imposing net play and solid serving continued to force Gauff into errors in the early moments of the second set. An obviously frustrated Gauff endeavored to play each point as it came, running down every ball, but her opponent’s well-rounded game and razor-sharp focused eyes kept her at bay.
Garcia was doing very little wrong when she led with an early break of serve, leading 2 love with clean, brilliant striking of the ball. Gauff’s fighting spirit tried to wheel her into finding her game in parts; but Garcia hardly gave her a whiff of opportunities to retrieve the single break of serve in the ongoing match. She stood a game away from advancing to her first Major Semi-Final at 5-4.
Garcia won 6-3 6-4 to advance to the Semis where she will face Ons Jabeur.
SET 2 Stats:
1st serve pts W – Gauff 64% Garcia 78%
Winners – Gauff 18 – Garcia 24
BP’s W – Gauff 1/3 Garcia 3/8
Garcia: “I always play very aggressive. I just go for my shots even when I’m stressed…when I don’t feel it. I’m looking forward to the next challenge, and see what I can improve.”
