Coco Gauff is back in the US Open semifinals for the first time since winning the title in 2023, surviving a dramatic three-set battle against French Open champion Mirra Andreeva on Wednesday at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The fourth-seeded American saved two match points in a wild second-set tiebreak before pulling away to defeat the 19-year-old Russian 2-6, 7-6 (9-7), 6-2. Gauff, 22, had never lost to Andreeva before, but this marked the closest the young Russian has come to beating her.
The match appeared headed for an upset when Andreeva dominated the opening set, taking it 6-2. The Russian teenager continued to pressure Gauff in the second set, pushing it to a tiebreak where she held two match points at 7-5. But Gauff found another gear when facing elimination, saving both match points to win the tiebreak 9-7 and level the match.
With momentum shifted, Gauff took control in the deciding set. She broke Andreeva's serve early and never looked back, closing out the match 6-2 to secure her spot in the semifinals.
"This was the closest Andreeva has come" to beating Gauff, according to reports from the match. The victory keeps alive Gauff's hopes of defending her US Open title from 2023, when she captured her first Grand Slam championship.
Gauff will now face Elena Rybakina in the semifinals after the newly crowned world No. 1 defeated Qinwen Zheng earlier in the day. Rybakina's victory over Zheng set up what promises to be a compelling semifinal matchup between two of the tour's rising stars.
The semifinal represents a significant test for both players. Gauff will be looking to build on her breakthrough 2023 US Open triumph, while Rybakina enters as the tournament's top seed following her recent ascension to world No. 1.
For Andreeva, the loss ends what had been an impressive run at Flushing Meadows. The French Open champion showed she belongs on the biggest stages, pushing one of the game's top players to the brink before ultimately falling short in her first US Open quarterfinal.
The match highlighted both players' potential, with Andreeva's early dominance giving way to Gauff's championship experience when the pressure mounted highest. Gauff's ability to save match points and turn the match around demonstrated the mental toughness that carried her to the title three years ago.
With her semifinal berth secured, Gauff now turns her attention to Rybakina, setting up a clash between the defending champion and the current world No. 1 for a spot in the US Open final.
