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Coco Gauff faced her toughest challenge yet at the 2024 US Open, as she battled back to defeat Elina Svitolina 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 in a tense third-round match.
The American star showed resilience and determination to keep her US Open dreams alive.
Gauff began the match with intensity, forcing a deuce from 0-40 on Svitolina's serve. Although she lost that game, it was a clear indication of the grit and tenacity she would display throughout the match. Her ability to dig deep and fight back would prove crucial as she faced moments of turbulence against the world No. 28.
Svitolina, fresh off a Wimbledon quarterfinal appearance, started strong and capitalized on Gauff's early struggles. Both players engaged in long baseline rallies, with neither willing to give up ground easily. Gauff faced several break points in her first three service games but managed to escape, showing her resilience. However, Svitolina struck first, breaking Gauff's serve with three straight backhand misses from the American.
Gauff used the second set to battle back
Despite trailing, Gauff showed her fighting spirit in the second set. She found herself in a difficult position again during her service game but managed to recover with a backhand winner that just grazed the line.
This marked the beginning of her comeback as she escaped a potential collapse in the following games. The turning point came when Gauff fired a forehand return down the line at 30-30, rallying the New York crowd and winning a crucial break point.
With the second set secured, Gauff carried her momentum into the third set, breaking Svitolina at her first opportunity and seizing control of the match with a 4-1 lead. Despite some nerve-wracking moments, including losing a triple-match point due to two consecutive double-faults, Gauff held her composure to break Svitolina in the final game and secure the victory.
After the match, Gauff acknowledged the toughness of her opponent.
"I knew today was gonna be a tough match," she said during her on-court interview.
"She's a fighter."
With this hard-fought win, Gauff advances to the next round of the 2024 US Open, where she will face even tougher competition. Her ability to navigate challenging matches and maintain focus will be critical as she continues her pursuit of the title.