PARIS — World No. 2 Coco Gauff overcame a shaky start to defeat fellow American Madison Keys 6-4, 6-3 in a hard-fought quarterfinal clash at the French Open, securing her spot in the semifinals at Roland Garros for the second consecutive year.
The 20-year-old Gauff, who won her maiden Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open, showcased her trademark resilience after falling behind early in both sets. Keys, the 2017 US Open finalist, started aggressively, breaking Gauff in the opening game and dictating play with her powerful groundstrokes. However, Gauff adjusted her tactics, relying on her superior movement and defensive skills to turn the match around.
A Slow Start and a Strong Response
Gauff admitted post-match that she struggled to find her rhythm early. "Madison came out swinging, and I wasn’t ready for that intensity," she said. "I had to reset mentally and focus on extending the rallies. Once I did that, I felt more in control."
Keys, seeded 14th, raced to a 3-1 lead in the first set, but Gauff clawed her way back, winning five of the next six games. The turning point came in the seventh game when Gauff broke Keys’ serve with a stunning cross-court backhand winner, shifting momentum decisively in her favor.
Keys’ Missed Opportunities
Despite her strong start, Keys was unable to sustain her level, committing 39 unforced errors over the course of the match. Gauff, by contrast, remained steady, converting four of her six break-point opportunities while saving five of the seven she faced.
Keys later reflected on the match, saying, "I had chances, but Coco just played the big points better. She’s so quick and makes you hit one extra ball every time."
Key Stats from the Match
- Winners: Keys 24, Gauff 18
- Unforced Errors: Keys 39, Gauff 22
- Break Points Converted: Gauff 4/6, Keys 2/7
- Net Points Won: Gauff 12/15, Keys 8/14
Gauff’s Path to the Semifinals
Gauff, who reached the French Open final in 2022, has now advanced to the semifinals without dropping a set. Her road to the last four included victories over:
- Julia Avdeeva (6-1, 6-1)
- Tamara Zidanšek (6-3, 6-4)
- Dayana Yastremska (6-2, 6-4)
- Elise Mertens (6-4, 6-3)
- Madison Keys (6-4, 6-3)
Her next opponent will be either world No. 1 Iga Świątek or fifth seed Markéta Vondroušová. A potential rematch with Świątek, who defeated Gauff in the 2022 final, looms large.
Looking Ahead
Gauff, now a seasoned contender at just 20, is embracing the pressure of being a favorite. "I’ve learned a lot since my first final here," she said. "I know what to expect, and I’m ready to fight for every point."
Keys, meanwhile, exits Roland Garros with her head held high, having reached her first French Open quarterfinal since 2018. "It’s been a great tournament for me," she said. "I’ll take the positives and keep working."
With the win, Gauff extends her head-to-head lead over Keys to 4-1 and continues her quest for a second Grand Slam title. The semifinal showdown promises high stakes, with the young American determined to take the next step in her already illustrious career.