19-year-old Gauff is in the semi-finals for the first time after defeating Ostapenko

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New York. 19-year-old Coco Gauff of America reached the women’s singles semi-finals for the first time after defeating 20th seed Jelena Ostapenko at the US Open here on Tuesday.

Gauff put in a dominant performance to beat Ostapenko 6-0, 6-2, extending her winning streak to 10 matches on Tuesday. Gauff became the first American teenager to reach the semifinals here since Serena Williams in 2001.

It was a battle between two in-form players. Ostapenko caused a major upset by defeating world number one Iga Swiatek in the fourth round. Gauff has now won 16 out of 17 matches in 35 days.

Gauff got off to a flying start, taking the first set in just 20 minutes.

Although Ostapenko did a little better in the second set, it didn’t start well as Gauff broke her serve in the first game.

But the Latvian, who became only the third woman in history to win four consecutive three-set matches to reach the US Open quarterfinals, fired some decent winners. She quickly came back and held serve for the first time, earning a break point chance at 3-2.

Gauff held serve, then broke Ostapenko’s serve again as the No. 20 seed began spraying her shots again. Gauff came back skilfully from 0-30 down in her final service game and fired an incredible forehand winner to end a 17-shot rally to become a US Open semifinalist for the first time.

Gauff said in her on-court interview, “I am very happy. Last year I lost in the quarterfinals. I am happy and ready to come back in the next match.”

(IANS)

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