Coco Gauff returns to the French Open semi-finals after defeating Ons Jabeur

PARIS (AP) – Coco Gauff beat Ons Jabeur 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 on Tuesday at the French Open to reach the semifinals of a 3rd straight Grand Slam tournament.

Gauff won her first major title at the US Open in September, then reached the final 4 of the Australian Open in January.

The 20-year-old American is seeded number 3 at the Roland Garros tournament, where she was runner-up behind Iga Świątek in 2022.

Gauff has a probability for a rematch in the semi-finals with top-ranked Świątek, who won three of the last 4 championship titles in Paris.

Świątek’s quarterfinal against 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova is scheduled for later Tuesday at Court Philippe Chatrier.

Jabeur’s mixture of speed and spin led to Gauff attacking at times. And just as Gauff is understood for her ability to cover the court and play defense, Jabeur continued to produce winners, ending with 30 overall.

– She played very well throughout the match. She threw a number of winners at me, which I’m not used to against anyone,” Gauff said. “So today I just tried to be aggressive towards the end.”

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Gauff took a 5-2 lead in the final set after which needed three match points to end the match. She later admitted that she perhaps felt slightly more tense later in the match. The final game was crucial as Gauff had to save a break point after which Jabeur gave up one match point with a hidden drop shot that caused a roar from the stands, to which the 29-year-old Tunisian responded by putting her right index finger to her ear.

However, on Gauff’s next opportunity to seal the victory, Jabeur mistimed his header. Gauff smiled, then raised her arms and screamed.

With the principal stadium crowd at times loudly supporting Jabeur, Gauff didn’t do too badly in the first set. But No. 8 seed Jabeur – a three-time major finalist – performed admirably, winning 17 of 18 first-serve points, never having a single break point and taking a 12-5 advantage amongst all winners.

When she delivered a 184 km/h ace to end the set, Jabeur nodded repeatedly.

“She’s a tricky opponent they usually love her rather a lot on tour. I saw it in the audience today – I do know you wanted her to win. Honestly, every time she doesn’t play (with me), I root for her too,” Gauff said.

“Even though you were behind Ons, I really had a great time, even when I lost the first set and they were chanting while I was in the bathroom,” Gauff said of her exit from the court after the first set. “I believed, ‘This is basically fun, whether you win or lose.’ This is.”

After that, Gauff gained momentum, raising her level and trying to gain a bonus in the longer rallies. She had 16 winners in the last two sets, breaking serve 4 times.

“I know I have a lot of love here in Paris. I know, trust me,” said Gauff, who won the French Open junior title at age 14. “I really appreciate it and I hope you can help me get through the next round.”