Defending champion Coco Gauff (3rd) lost the first set before beating Ukrainian Elina Svitolina (28th) 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, Friday in the third round of the US Open.
“I knew it would be tough. Every time I play against Elina, I’m up against a real fighter. I had to play my best tennis and improve my serve compared to the previous match. I actually served better, except for the last game and thank you (to the crowd) for giving me all that energy,” commented the 20-year-old American.
She appeared tense in the first set, but did not crack in the second where Svitolina missed a few opportunities, gradually letting Gauff relax, regain confidence, wake up the crowd and take the upper hand.
“I felt like my team was on the edge of their seats and I knew I had to explode to make them explode, just like the crowd. That’s what happened when I broke in the second set. Thanks to the crowd, you jumped when you needed to, you gave me what I needed, it worked and I was able to get back into the match,” Gauff said.
Increasingly solid, the American then more clearly dominated the third set.
She wasted her first two match points on two double faults and Svitolina saved the third with a backhand long line winner. Then the Ukrainian managed to make up one of her two breaks.
But Svitolina completely missed her next service game, giving it white to Gauff who was thus able to scream her joy at qualifying for the round of 16.
Gauff, who won her first – and to date only – Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows last year, will face her compatriot Emma Navarro (12th) or another Ukrainian, Marta Kostyuk (19th) on Sunday.
