Coco Gauff survives huge scare to keep US Open title defence alive with statement win

Coco Gauff avoided an early exit at the US Open

Coco Gauff survived a massive scare to defeat Elina Svitolina 3-6 6-3 6-3 at the US Open. The American’s title defence looked to be coming to an end in the third round when Svitolina grabbed the first set and had a chance to go up a break in the second. But Gauff stormed back to keep herself alive. After a tricky summer, the statement win is just what she needs to boost her confidence.

Back playing in the day session on Arthur Ashe Stadium - her favourite slot - Gauff faced a tough test against former semi-finalist Svitolina. The American came into the US Open with a 1-2 record on the North American hard courts and also had a disappointing Olympics campaign after entering all three draws. She had managed to turn things around in New York, thriving off the defending champion label. Gauff dropped just six games across her first two rounds, winning bagel sets in both matches. But Svitolina proved to be a whole new challenge. The Ukrainian was the first seeded player Gauff had faced this week, with her first two opponents ranked outside of the world’s top 60. And the 20-year-old struggled early on as she was forced to save three break points over two service games. Gauff failed to convert three of her own opportunities in the seventh game of the match and Svitolina took confidence from her big hold.

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Elina Svitolina led by a set and had a break point chance in the second

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The former world No. 3 broke for the third time and closed out the opening set to love. It was a tough first set for the reining champion, who made 16 unforced errors to Svitolina’s 10. The Ukrainian was also the first to get a break point in the second set but three mistakes allowed Gauff to stay ahead. And it was a turning point. Having been on the brink of a serious deficit, the third seed kicked into life and broke Svitolina for the first time. The momentum was well and truly with the 20-year-old going into the final set. She broke immediately and won a bruising, 37-shot rally in the next game, roaring as the home crowd got behind her. Svitolina struggled to hold serve, saving more break points before Gauff pounced again to give herself a comfortable lead. But she recovered to get on the board and forced Gauff to serve out the victory herself. There were some clear nerves - from 40-0 up, the American hit two double faults to blow her first two match points.

Coco Gauff is through to the second week of the US Open

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