Coco Gauff, the 2023 US Open and 2025 French Open champion, staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Mirra Andreeva and advance to the semi-finals in New York. The fourth seed was initially overwhelmed during a 26-minute opening set but regained her composure to secure a 2-6, 7-6 (9-7), 6-2 victory. This win marks Gauff’s first semi-final appearance at Flushing Meadows since her title-winning run in 2023 and her second consecutive Grand Slam semi-final.
The match turned into a mental battle as Gauff fought back from a break down twice in a scrappy second set before winning a tense 16-point tie-break. Gauff credited her resilience to the inspiration she drew from compatriot Frances Tiafoe’s comeback win over Alex Michelsen the previous night. “At the end of the first set I was thinking about Frances and how he came back yesterday,” Gauff said. “We all want to do well in front of this crowd. Honestly, I was just trying to leave the court with no regrets.”
Gauff noted that she has learned to embrace the support of the home crowd, having previously felt pressured by the fear of underperforming in front of them. “I don’t have that fear of disappointing them. I’m just using them and knowing that when I step on this court, they’re still going to have my back,” she added.
Her next opponent, second seed Elena Rybakina, reached the final four after overcoming Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-1, 6-4. By reaching this stage, the 27-year-old Rybakina is guaranteed to become the world number one for the first time in her career, having entered the tournament trailing Aryna Sabalenka by only 434 points. Rybakina’s victory over Zheng was notable as it was the first time she had dropped a set during the tournament.
The current tournament structure is historic, as it marks the first time the top four seeds have reached the semi-finals of a women’s singles major since Wimbledon in 2009. This follows the progression of top seed Aryna Sabalenka and third seed Jessica Pegula, who both advanced to the final four on Tuesday. The report also notes that the American’s resilience proved the difference in what became a mental battle as she closed out a 2-6 7-6 (9-7) 6-2 win – a performance she said was inspired by compatriot Frances Tiafoe, roared on by a partisan crowd.
