Defending champion Coco Gauff came back from a set down to beat Ukrainian Elina Svitolina and reach the fourth round of the US Open.
American third seed Gauff’s bid to become the first woman to defend the title since Serena Williams in 2014 is still alive after a hard-fought 3-6 6-3 6-3 victory.
“This win means a lot,” Gauff said. “I knew today was going to be a tough match. Every time I play Elina, she’s a fighter. I knew I had to bring my best tennis.”
She will face compatriot Emma Navarro after the 13th seed claimed a 6-4 4-6 6-3 win over Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk.
The two Americans met in the fourth round of Wimbledon this year, with Navarro causing a shock on Centre Court.
“I feel like that match at Wimbledon I think I mentally just literally collapsed on the court. I was very frustrated, and she played well,” said Gauff.
“I have to expect her to play her best tennis, and I just need to know that I need to bring it and mentally be there from the beginning to the end.”
Meanwhile, last year’s runner-up Aryna Sabalenka fought back from a set down to beat Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova 2-6 6-1 6-2 in a match that finished at 1.49am local time in New York (06:49 BST).
The late-night finish was a result of Friday’s day session on Arthur Ashe Stadium filtering into the evening slot, with Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton playing out a five-set thriller before the men’s defending champion Novak Djokovic suffered a surprise defeat by Alexei Popyrin.
“Thank you all for staying that late guys. For real, you’re the best. I hope you’re going to get a good sleep,” said Sabalenka, who arrived on court after midnight.
“I was praying they’re were not going to play so long.
“It was tricky but I just stayed with my team, tried to relax and pretended that the match was going to be in five hours instead to chill.”
Source Agencies
