Ultra-consisent world No.3 claims a fourth consectutive quarter-final ticket in Paris
©Corinne Dubreuil / FFTCoco Gauff excelled as the frontrunner to storm back into the Roland-Garros quarter-finals with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over world No.51 Elisabetta Cocciaretto on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
The Italian defeated two top 20 stars to reach the last 16, but Gauff harnessed her experience in familiar territory to book a clash with No.8 seed Ons Jabeur or Danish youngster Clara Tauson.
Gauff, 2022 runner-up in Paris, whipped a cross court backhand to set the tone. The 20-year-old controlled a forward slide to perfection to reach a drop shot and guide a forehand past the Italian.
The No.3 seed repeated that anticipation up the court and then connected with another blazing backhand to launch herself into a 5-0 lead.
Cocciaretto, competing in the second week at a major for the first time, signalled to her coaching team she needed to relax. The 23-year-old made a concerted effort to take the ball on, to step in, and after 21 minutes the world No.51 finally posted a game on the board.
Could the tables be turned? Cocciaretto earned three chances to break back at 0-1 in the second. Gauff's lassoed forehand down the line erased the second chance, before a double fault gifted Cocciaretto hope.
Gauff demonstrated her major pedigree to surge 3-1 up and even though a brace of double faults threatened to derail the reigning US Open champion, the athleticism and full court repertoire kept Cocciaretto at bay.
Since 2000, only Iga Swiatek has claimed more singles wins at Roland Garros before turning 21-years-old. The world No.1 has now posted 22, with Gauff moving onto 19 Parisian victories, drawing level with 2008 champion Ana Ivanovic.
Only two Americans have won more singles matches at Roland-Garros in their first five appearances, Chris Evert (29) and Serena Williams (21). Can Gauff match Serena during this trip?
The 2018 girls' singles champion has now booked a fourth successive quarter-final at Roland-Garros.
©Corinne Dubreuil / FFTFootwork on fire: "It’s definitely something I work on. I'm lucky to have trained on clay since I was 10, which is not common for Americans. I do like to slide, especially for some of those crazy drop shots and sometimes I do surprise myself.
Match preparation with the team: "Usually after my warm up in the morning, we talk for maybe two or three minutes. Today I saw we finished at 10:31 and I was walking off the court at 10:33. It's never anything too complicated, I think when you make tennis simple it's easier, because at the end of the day you need to focus on your end of the court.
"Yes. It's good to know the opponent's habits, but they might not play the same way. Also, on tour you play girls multiple times," added Gauff, who edged Cocciaretto 6-1, 7-5 in Dubai back in February.
"We kind of know how people play and we look at my game, how I can improve from my last matches. I'm really happy what I learned from that Dubai match and how I played today."
Prospect of playing Tauson: "Yeah, we played juniors together, I've practiced with her too," said Gauff, ahead of a potential first meeting.
"I think she's a great player and she's a solid ball striker. She's having a great tournament, so it's very likely that I can play her. She's playing Ons, who is also a great opponent.
"As a person, I haven't spoken to her a lot, but every time I do have brief interaction with her, she's super nice. One of my friends that I grew up with is best friends with her, so I'm sure she's a super nice girl. We just haven't had the chance to have our paths cross too much."
ROLAND-GARROS
19 May - 8 June 2025
