In Paris on Wednesday, Coco Gauff faced numerous challenges during her French Open quarterfinal match against fellow American Madison Keys. Despite frequent double-faults and unforced errors, Gauff’s resilience led her to a 6-7 (6), 6-4, 6-1 victory, marking her third semifinal appearance at Roland-Garros.
The 21-year-old Gauff, seeded No. 2 and a former U.S. Open champion, showcased her competitive spirit and determination throughout the match. “From a young age, I’ve always had the will to win,” Gauff explained. Her tenacity allowed her to overcome her struggles on the court on a particularly testing day where both players amassed a total of 101 unforced errors under a closed roof.
Against Keys, who came into the match with a formidable 11-match Grand Slam winning streak and defensive skills from her performance at the Australian Open, Gauff’s perseverance shone through. Half of the match’s games involved service breaks, but Gauff managed to secure the pivotal games to clinch her victory. Following a tough start where she trailed 4-1 and faced a potential 5-1 deficit, Gauff’s switch to a racket with different string tension seemingly helped her rally back into the competition.
Teasing the mental boost from the equipment change, Gauff said, “Maybe it did, and maybe it didn’t… Sometimes that stuff could just be mental.” With such a mindset, Gauff is set to compete against rising French player Loïs Boisson for a finals berth. Boisson, ranked 361st, has scripted an extraordinary story, reaching the semifinals in her Grand Slam debut by defeating competitors like Mirra Andreeva and Jessica Pegula.
Fans have been vocally supporting Gauff, who has previously lost to Iga Swiatek in the semifinals last year and the finals three years prior. Meanwhile, the other women’s semifinal is an intriguing face-off between the top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka and the three-time defending champion, Swiatek. Both advanced without drama in their respective quarterfinals matches.
For Gauff, her focus remains clear. She aims to relish her recent victory but recognizes the journey ahead. “I have a lot more work left to do,” she said, expressing her appreciation for the moment after sealing her triumph over Keys. Keys herself acknowledged the challenge presented by Gauff’s defensive prowess and court coverage, which added pressure on her own play.
The riveting French Open encounter showcased Gauff’s unyielding spirit that may very well see her achieve further milestones at this prestigious tournament.