US Open champion Coco Gauff displayed tenacity and resilience in a wild quarterfinal encounter against Marta Kostyuk at the 2024 Australian Open, securing a place in the semifinals with a 7-6(6), 6-7(3), 6-2 victory. Despite both players grappling with unforced errors, Gauff’s fighting spirit prevailed in a rollercoaster match that featured 16 breaks of serve.
The American fourth seed, eyeing her first Australian Open title, faced a tough challenge as Kostyuk took an early lead. Gauff, however, orchestrated a comeback, winning five successive games to serve for the first set. The set went to a tiebreak, which Gauff clinched with a remarkable display, including her mother making a fine catch from a Kostyuk return.
The unpredictable nature of the match continued in the second set, with both players trading breaks. Gauff had opportunities to close out the match but faced resistance from Kostyuk, leading to another tiebreak. Kostyuk’s winners and Gauff’s unsteady second serve allowed the Ukrainian to level the contest at one-set all.
In the decisive third set, Gauff, playing her final Grand Slam as a teenager, increased the pace of her first serve and backhand. Despite facing challenges while serving for the match, Gauff secured victory after more than three hours of intense play, making it 12 straight wins at Grand Slams.
Reflecting on the match, Gauff expressed pride in her fight and determination, acknowledging Kostyuk as a tough opponent. She now advances to the semifinals, where she will face either defending champion Aryna Sabalenka or ninth seed Barbora Krejcikova.
Gauff’s thrilling victory adds another chapter to her impressive Grand Slam journey, and fans eagerly anticipate her semifinal clash as she continues her pursuit of tennis excellence.
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