Coco Gauff has got her "wish" at US Open after next opponent confirmed
At the US Open, Coco Gauff will face an opponent she once thought she would never have the chance to play at Flushing Meadows.
The tennis star competed under the lights on Arthur Ashe Stadium once again and came from a set down to book her spot in the fourth round. After defeating Belgium’s Elise Mertens 3-6, 6-3, 6-0, the teenager was told in her on-court interview that her next opponent will be Caroline Wozniacki.
The Dane returned to action last month after more than three years away and now aged 33, is looking to win her second Grand Slam and first at Flushing Meadows. Gauff is excited to play the two-time US Open runner-up and claimed a wish of hers is now set to come true.
“A matchup I never thought I would have to play when she retired. I remember I might have said to her, I was like, I wish I would have played her, so that wish came true," Gauff said. "So I'm really excited. And yeah, I mean, it's going to be I don't know, I don't know is it really about a generation she's still like fit and going strong.
"So I think that it's going to be an exciting matchup and I know she has a lot of supporters but hopefully you guys can back me on that one too.” In her press conference, Gauff expanded on her upcoming meeting with Wozniacki, a player she enjoyed watching in her younger years.
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“It's not going to be an easy match-up. I think she probably knows my game pretty well. I don't know if she commentated on any of my matches,” the teen added. “I know she's watched tennis even when she was retired. I'm sure she knows my game just from watching. I know a little bit about her just from watching her growing up.
“It's going to be really cool. I'm really excited. Playing a legend like her is really exciting. I'm not going to take the moment for granted.” Gauff’s resiliency was on show once again in the third round, as Bertens took the opening set of their entertaining encounter.
In a back-and-forth second set in which breaks of serve were exchanged, Gauff took it 6-3 and with the New York crowd firmly behind her, she stormed through the third without losing a game to complete the victory. She served six aces and registered 30 winners against Mertens, and committed just 24 unforced errors compared to her opponent’s 38.
Wozniacki returned to the tour last months after three years away (mpi04/MediaPunch/IPx)The biggest cause for concern was Gauff’s second serve percentage, as she won just 34% of the points behind her second delivery, which will need to improve against Wozniacki. Two of Gauff’s first three wins at this year’s US Open have seen her come from behind.
In fact, she has recovered from a set down to win a win Grand Slam match nine times during the course of her young career. When asked about her comeback ability, she said: “Well, I mean, I will never I mean probably in the past I don't know maybe an experienced but you know today at least was playing well. And yeah, I don't know.
“I try my best to win in straight sets. I mean, give me some credit. I was like the last couple of weeks I was winning in straight sets. A win is a win and doesn't matter how you get it and yeah, I'm just happy and if anything the three setters show everybody else that I'm not going down without a fight.”
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