Coco Gauff beats Madison Keys in 3 sets to reach French Open semifinals
Coco Gauff showed her resilience and determination in a hard-fought match against Madison Keys at the French Open on Wednesday in Paris. Despite facing 10 double faults and dropping the first set, Gauff managed to come back and secure a 6-7 (6), 6-4, 6-1 victory, advancing to the semifinals for the third time in her career.
The match was filled with errors from both players, with a total of 101 unforced errors and just 40 winners between Gauff and Keys. The contest took place under a closed roof at Court Philippe-Chatrier on a drizzly and chilly day, adding to the challenging conditions.
Gauff, seeded No. 2, is a former U.S. Open champion and was the runner-up at the 2022 French Open. She expressed her determination to continue improving, stating, “I have a lot more work left to do, but I’m going to savor this one today.” Gauff will face either Mirra Andreeva or French wild-card entry Lois Boisson in the semifinals.
Despite a slow start and trailing 4-1 in the first set, Gauff managed to turn the match around with her speed and instinct, forcing errors from Keys and capitalizing on her opponent’s mistakes. The match was characterized by long rallies and intense points, with Gauff’s ability to cover the court proving to be a key advantage.
Both players struggled with their consistency, with Gauff committing 21 unforced errors to just seven winners in the first set, while Keys had 28 unforced errors and 12 winners. Keys, the Australian Open champion, found it challenging to break through Gauff’s defense and was often frustrated by her opponent’s ability to retrieve seemingly impossible shots.
In the end, Gauff’s determination and resilience paid off, as she managed to secure the victory and advance to the next round. The match was a testament to her fighting spirit and ability to overcome adversity on the court.
The French Open continues to deliver thrilling matches and surprises, with Gauff poised to make a strong run in the tournament. Fans can look forward to more exciting tennis as the competition heats up in Paris.
