NEW YORK — American star Coco Gauff navigated what she described as an "emotional week" to secure a commanding 6-3, 6-4 victory over Poland's Magdalena Frech on Friday, booking her spot in the US Open fourth round and setting up a blockbuster clash with former champion Naomi Osaka.
The third-seeded Gauff, who won her first major title here last year, showcased a much-improved serve and resilient baseline game to overcome a tricky opponent in Frech. The win marks a significant rebound for the 20-year-old, who had been openly critical of her serving performance in her previous match against Mirra Andreeva, where she hit 12 double faults.
"It's been an emotional week, for sure," Gauff confessed in her on-court interview. "I wasn't feeling my best coming into the tournament, and I had to really fight through some tough moments in the first two rounds. Today, I felt a lot more like myself. I was focused on just playing my game, point by point."
Overcoming Serving Woes
The most notable improvement in Gauff's game was the potency and consistency of her first serve. After a practice session focused solely on her ball toss and rhythm, she delivered a much stronger performance, hitting 7 aces and winning 78% of her first-serve points against Frech.
Gauff's coach, Brad Gilbert, was visibly pleased with the adjustment. The technical work clearly paid off, as she limited herself to just 4 double faults, a stark contrast to her previous outing. This newfound reliability allowed her to play more aggressively on return games, applying constant pressure on Frech's serve.
A Formidable Challenge Awaits: Naomi Osaka
The victory sets the stage for one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament thus far: a last-16 showdown with four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka. The Japanese star, who won the US Open in 2018 and 2020, has been in scintillating form upon her return to tennis after maternity leave, dispatching of opponents with her trademark powerful groundstrokes.
"She's playing great," Gauff said of her next opponent. "She's always a threat on this surface, especially. I think it's going to be a great match. We've had tough battles before. I'm going to have to be ready to play my best tennis." The head-to-head record stands at 3-1 in Osaka's favor, with their most famous meeting being Osaka's straight-sets victory in the third round of the 2020 Australian Open.
Osaka's Resurgence
For Osaka, this run has been a powerful statement about her return to the sport's elite. Seeded and ranked outside the top 80, she has battled through three rounds with a blend of power and poise that harkens back to her major-winning days. Her 6-3, 6-4 win over No. 18 seed Marta Kostyuk was a masterclass in controlled aggression.
In her post-match press conference, Osaka acknowledged the challenge ahead, saying:
"I think it's going to be really amazing. We're both great players, and we've done well here before. I know people have been looking forward to this match, and honestly, so have I. It feels like it's going to be one of those memorable ones."
Keys to the Match
Tennis analysts are already breaking down the tactical battle that will likely decide the match. The duel presents a fascinating contrast in styles and strengths:
- Gauff's Defense vs. Osaka's Offense: Gauff's incredible court coverage and ability to extend rallies will be tested against Osaka's first-strike power and aggressive returning.
- The Serve: Both players possess dominant serves. Whichever player can hold more comfortably and create more break point opportunities will gain a significant advantage.
- Emotional Composure: With the electric Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd sure to be at a fever pitch, managing nerves and momentum swings will be paramount.
The match is not just a battle for a quarterfinal spot; it's a narrative-rich encounter between the sport's established champion, Osaka, seeking to reclaim her throne, and its current reigning Flushing Meadows queen, Gauff, determined to defend her turf.
A Stage Set for Drama
Scheduled for Sunday, the match is expected to be a primetime spectacle. It represents the toughest test yet for both players in this tournament and is seen by many as a potential final-quality match happening in the first week. For Gauff, it’s an opportunity to prove her growth since their last meeting and to advance past a player who has historically had her number. For Osaka, it’s a chance to announce that she is well and truly back among the very best in the world.
Reflecting on the journey to this point, Gauff summed up the mentality that has carried her through a challenging week:
"You have to embrace it. This is what we work for, these big moments on the biggest stage. It's not always going to be perfect, but you have to find a way. I'm just excited for the challenge."
As the lights shine down on Ashe, the tennis world will be watching, anticipating a classic between two of the game's most compelling figures, with a place in the US Open quarterfinals on the line.