By Dwight Casimere
It was a tough battle but 18 year-old No.5 Coco Gauff rode the fan’s cheers of ‘Let’s Go Co-Co’ to an impressive straight set victory over China’s Zhang Shuai, 7-5,7-5, to become the youngest American woman to advance to the US Open quarterfinals since 2009. She faces the red-hot Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia today at 5pm CT on ESPN. This is Gauff’s biggest match since her runner-up appearance in the French Open finals at Roland Garros.
“It feels insane,” Gauff said in the post-match interview with Chris Evert. “I mean Ashe stadium chanting my name?”
After the collective slump in fan morale following the dramatic ouster of Serena Williams by Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round, which ushered in her retirement, the entry of Coco in the final rounds is a welcome shot of youthful adrenaline. Both Gauff and Garcia have won all 8 sets in this year’s US Open. Expect a tight, competitive match between the two.
Garcia has won three titles on three different playing surfaces coming into tonight’s match. Gauff is a much improved player since her success at Roland Garros, stepping up her offensive game, relying less on speed as a weapon and improving her strategy and defense.
Coco faces off against Garcia later today at 6pm CT on ESPN. The nightcap brings Nicolas Kyrgios, the winningest player on the men’s tour this season, against Wimbledon finalist Karen Khachanov. It’s all Live on ESPN.