Coco Gauff Rallies to Reach US Open Fourth Round

Coco Gauff the defending champion staged a comeback to defeat Ukrainian Elina Svitolina and advance to the fourth round of the US Open. The American third seed, determined to become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2014 to defend the title, secured a hard-fought 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory. Reflecting on the win, Gauff acknowledged the tough challenge Svitolina presented, noting she had to bring her best tennis to prevail.

Next, Coco Gauff will face compatriot Emma Navarro, who defeated Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. Gauff, recalling her previous encounter with Navarro at Wimbledon where she struggled mentally emphasized the need to be focused from start to finish in their upcoming match. Meanwhile, last year’s runner-up Aryna Sabalenka also fought back from a set down to beat Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova 2-6, 6-1, 6-2 in a match that concluded at 1:49 AM local time.

Sabalenka expressed gratitude to the fans who stayed late, noting the challenge of staying mentally prepared for a match that started after midnight. Despite a slow start, Sabalenka regained her form to dominate the latter stages, setting up a fourth-round clash with Belgium’s Elise Mertens, who overcame American Madison Keys in three sets. Elsewhere, Spain’s Paula Badosa saved a match point to defeat Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (10-8), advancing to the fourth round for the first time.

Badosa, who has struggled with injury, expressed joy at her performance, describing it as one of the best of her career. She will face China’s Wang Yafan next, after Wang defeated former world number one Victoria Azarenka. Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen also cruised into the fourth round with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Germany’s Jule Niemeier, setting up a match against Wimbledon semi-finalist Donna Vekic.