Coco Gauff has lost her previous Grand Slam final to Iga Swiatek at the French Open but the American believes she is better prepared this time. Gauff will face world number 1, Aryna Sabalenka for the US Open championship. Coco Gauff has made the final of the US Open after a dominating 6-4, 7-5 win against Karolina Muchova.
The 19-year-old Gauff remained composed as the match was suspended for 49 minutes early in the second set due to an environmental protest in the upper decks of the Arthur Ashe Stadium. When play resumed, sixth seed Gauff won a hard-fought second set to reach her second Grand Slam final.
Coco Gauff reflects on her Roland Garros defeat
Coco Gauff lost the French Open final in 2022 against Iga Swiatek. The then 18-year-old was comprehensively beaten 6-1, 6-3 by the Polish star. The American did not get off to a great start as she trailed 4-0 in the opening set before losing the first set in just 32 minutes. Gauff did break Swiatek’s serve in the second set to take a 2-0 lead but her challenge eventually ended with a 6-3 defeat in the second set.
Now, speaking to the media before her US Open final, Gauff declared that she feels she is ready this time and has more confidence in herself. The American admitted to be surprised to have reached the final at the French Open and compete against Iga Swiatek.
Swiatek was on an unbeaten run of 34 games when the duo faced each other in Paris. Gauff admitted that winning against Swiatek last year was a step too far for her.
“Yeah, I think, you know, playing that match, I don’t know, the whole tournament felt like a surprise to me. I wasn’t expecting the final here either, but I just think then I was really winning and just relieved that I made it to a final because so many people expected a lot of things from me. You know, I think I just didn’t really believe that I had it in me, especially at the time playing Iga, who was on a winning streak and everything.”
Gauff says she is more confident of winning the final this time but it won’t be easy against Aryan Sabalenka. The American believes she is more mature this time and just concentrating on herself. She further said that she is proud of her performances in the last two weeks and hopes to end to a high.
“But this time around, I have been focusing more on myself and my expectations of myself. Not going on social media or listening to people who believe that I can or believe that I can’t. So I have just been really focusing on myself. I really believe that now I have the maturity and ability to do it. You know, regardless of what happens on Saturday, I’m really proud of how I have been handling the last few weeks.”
This transformation in mindset and self-belief has propelled Gauff to the US Open final, where she will face a formidable opponent in Aryna Sabalenka, who recently secured her first Slam title and ascended to the world No. 1 ranking.
Sabalenka wins a thriller to reach the final
Aryna Sabalenka broke American hearts as she came back from one set down to beat Maddison Keys in the semi-finals. Sabalenka has been recently crowned the world number 1 and has enjoyed a successful season so far. The 25 year old won her first Grand Slam at the Australian Open 2023 and hasn’t looked back since.
Coco Gauff leads Aryna Sabalenka 3-2 in head to heads but the Belarusian star will go in as the favorite. Both Gauff and Sabalenka have exhibited stellar form throughout the US Open, thrilling fans with their remarkable performances. The final promises to be a mouthwatering clash with the experience of world number one against the youthfulness of Gauff, who will be supported by the New York crowd.
