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Coco Gauff took a leaf out of Carlos Alcaraz’s book after she advanced to the quarterfinals stage of the US Open for the second consecutive year. The 19-year-old was pitted against former world No 1 Caroline Wozniacki in the Round of 16 and had to overcome an early break of serve and losing the second set before she eventually prevailed 6-3, 3-6, 6-1.
Gauff is one of several Americans to have reached the business end of the tournament, with Frances Tiafoe, Ben Shelton, Maddison Keys and doubles partner Jessica Pegula all still in contention heading into the second week.
Shelton eliminated another US star, Tommy Paul, in the Round of 16 after eventually seeing off his compatriot 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.
Speaking in a press conference after her own success, Gauff shared her excitement over strong US representation in the latter stages.
She said: “It’s really great. I mean, I was so happy. Obviously, I know Tommy really well, too. But I was really happy for Ben’s win. Especially they played each other in Australia, so it’s nice to just see the competitiveness between the countrymen and us all doing well.”
Shelton and Tiafoe will now face each other in the quarterfinals, ensuring that there will be at least one American in this year’s semifinals, much to Gauff’s delight.
She added: “With Ben and Frances winning [it] guarantees a person in the semi. With Jess and Maddie playing, it guarantees a person in the quarters. It’s just really exciting tennis for America. I hope that the fans are excited, are as happy with it.”
Expectation is high on Gauff despite still only being a teenager. Ranked sixth in the world, she is one of the USA’s main hopes of success this year alongside Pegula. But Gauff revealed that she still had time to ruffle a few feathers following her victory by poking fun at Tiafoe’s extravagant outfit.
Gauff said: “After my match, Ben and Frances were in the cool-down area, or warm-up, I don’t know, area, and it was really just cool to see us all there. Obviously the conversation, they already started the trash talk. I’m indifferent who wins, but I did say that Frances is a little bit upset because I said Ben had the better outfit than him.”
Unable to contain her laughter, she continued: “Yeah, because Frances told me at [the] French Open that he had something crazy planned for US Open and I was like ‘you’re wearing confetti’. I said Carlos [Alcaraz] looked better. He’s going to hate this. Love you, Frances.”
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World No 1 Alacaraz is also sporting an eccentric rig-out for the US Open and so far, the loud outfits appear to have brought both players good luck. During her chat with the congregated media, Gauff explained how the Spaniard’s positive attitude was influencing her own approach, citing his Cincinnati Open match against Hubert Hurkacz as a prime example.
She said: “Carlos in Cincinnati, he was losing a set every match pretty much and he wasn’t playing his best, that was clear. The way that he was still smiling against Hubert Hurkacz and he was down a set and a break or something like that, he was down crazy or down match points. He was still smiling.
“I was, like, if he can smile, he’s No. 1 in the world and he has all this pressure, he’s supposed to beat Hubi on paper, then I can do it in situations maybe where most of the time now I’m not the underdog.”
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