Coco Gauff destroys Ostapenko by losing just 2 games to reach first US Open semi
Coco Gauff raced into her first US Open semi-final to show why she is second favourite to win her home Grand Slam. The American No.6 seed conceded only seven points in a 20-minute first set against No.20 seed Jelena Ostapenko before winning 6-0 6-2.
“It feels great,” she said. “I am so happy to reach my first semi here. I lost last year in the quarter-finals. I still have a long way to go but I am ready to get back to work for the next one.” The Latvian had shocked Iga Swiatek to ensure there will be a new women’s champion here this year – and the ninth different champion in the last 10 years.
New world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka is the favourite to win her second Grand Slam after her first win in the Australian Open. But teenager Gauff will have the backing of the vocal American crowd a year after Serena Williams retired here.
Click here to join our WhatsApp community to be the first to receive breaking and exclusive tennis news
She showed a ruthless streak to win six out of seven break points as the 2017 French Open champion was only able to hold her serve once.
After winning the final six games against Caroline Wozniacki in the fourth round, Gauff extended her winning streak in the Arthur Ashe Stadium to 13 games when she took the opening game of the second set.
Ostapenko finally got on the scoreboard after 31 minutes when she broke Gauff to bring the score to 1-1. She then had a point in the next game for a 2-1 lead before she was broke yet again.
Just in Andy Murray schedule hinted at after US Open exit sparked retirement fears[LATEST]
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
And Gauff closed out the match by taking her third match point with her 13th winner after 68 minutes for the most lopsided win of her career. Ostapenko made 36 unforced errors.
Sabalenka claimed she had wanted to beat Swiatek to become world No.1 for the first time. “I wanted to have this battle and decide everything on court. I was sad that she lost,” said the Belarusian.
“But it means a lot to me, all year I’ve been pushing myself to reach this goal, to become world No. 1.”
Source: Read Full Article
