Coco Gauff staged a remarkable comeback at the US Open on Wednesday, saving two match points before defeating Russia’s fifth seed Mirra Andreeva to book her place in the semi-finals.
The American, who won the tournament in 2023, recovered from a poor start to overcome Andreeva 2-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-2 in a dramatic quarter-final clash at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Gauff struggled to find her rhythm in the opening set as Andreeva raced into an early lead. The Russian committed just five unforced errors compared with Gauff’s 14 and comfortably took the set 6-2.
The American regrouped during a break between sets and returned with renewed determination.
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However, the second set remained fiercely contested. Gauff appeared close to victory while serving for the match in the ninth game, only for three double faults to allow Andreeva back into the contest.
With her place in the tournament hanging in the balance, Gauff showed remarkable composure.
She saved two match points before winning a gruelling 39-shot rally and eventually forced the deciding set with a forehand winner into the corner.
Gauff then seized control of the third set, breaking Andreeva early and maintaining the pressure. She secured another break to love in the seventh game before serving out the match.
“The motto of the match was just to fight,” Gauff said after the victory.
The 21-year-old credited compatriot Frances Tiafoe for inspiring her comeback after watching his dramatic recovery in his own quarter-final the previous night.
“I just had to reset. I came out not feeling the ball, giving her too many free points,” Gauff said.
Gauff will now face Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina in the semi-finals in what promises to be another major test.
Rybakina, the second seed, had earlier defeated China’s Zheng Qinwen and moved to the top of the world rankings.
Gauff and Rybakina have split their two previous meetings, although Rybakina won their most recent encounter in the Toronto semi-finals last month.
“She’s the new world number one so it’s going to be a tough match,” Gauff said. “I’m looking forward to the battle. These are the moments you live for.”
