Coco Gauff has equaled Serena Williams’ Grand Slam singles record by clinching a spot in the Australian Open semifinals.
The defending US Open champion went through a tough match against Ukrainian world No. 37 Marta Kostyuk 7-6(6) 6-7(3) 6-2. Advance to the semi-finals for the first time in Melbourne.
The victory tied Gauff with Williams’ 49 Grand Slam singles wins as a teenager.
Only Jennifer Capriati has won more titles than the pair with 50 wins since 1990, and Gauff could quickly overtake her if she wins this year’s title compatriots.
The 19-year-old was far from his best against Kostyuk but emerged victorious after just over three hours on Rod Laver Arena.
“I’m very proud of today’s match, Marta is a tough opponent and every time we play it’s a tough match,” Goff said.
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“I worked really hard today and left everything on the court.”
Kostyuk’s husband tried to create a little tension before the game by wearing a hat that mocked the Americans.
He watched the game from a plush box in the arena, oddly enough wearing a hat that said “Shake Your Coconuts.”
But Gauff has her sights firmly set on the prize as she looks for her first major win since last year’s victory at Flushing Meadows.
But before that, she fell behind 5-1 in the first set, giving her a huge scare.
The American fought back to win five games in a row and hold serve in the sweltering heat of Melbourne.
Both players switched brakes in the second set, but problems on Gauff’s second serve allowed Kostyuk to equalize.
But Gauff found her groove in the final set, taking advantage of Kostyuk’s exhaustion to earn herself a spot in the last four, where she will face either Aryna Sabalenka or the Czech Republic in a repeat U.S. Open final Star seed Barbora Krejcikova.