Gauff Fights Back to Make French Open Semis and Match Serena Record

By: Gyang Dakwo

Coco Gauff is into the French Open semi-finals for the second year in a row after a hard-fought win over fellow American Madison Keys. The 21-year-old showed great determination to come back and win 6-7 (6), 6-4, 6-1 on Wednesday.

Keys, the 2024 Australian Open champion, had won 11 Grand Slam matches in a row before facing Gauff. When she took the first set in a tight tiebreak, it looked like she was heading for her 12th straight win.

But Gauff responded strongly. After missing a set point in the opener, she broke Keys early in the second set and held on to level the match. From there, Gauff took full control as Keys’ level dropped, racing through the final set 6-1.

The win takes Gauff into the last four and brings more milestones. It is her tenth career win against a former Grand Slam champion. She is now the youngest player to do this since Serena Williams in 2002.

At 21, Gauff has also become the youngest woman to win 25 main draw matches at Roland Garros since Martina Hingis in 2000. She is the youngest American to reach back-to-back French Open semi-finals since Andrea Jaeger in 1982.