American Coco Gauff will face new world number one Elena Rybakina in the US Open semifinals, while Russian Karen Khachanov advanced after his opponent was forced to retire hurt.
All of this and more in the US Open Wrap.
GAUFF’S INSPIRATIONAL COMEBACK BOOKS SEMIFINAL BERTH
Drawing inspiration from Frances Tiafoe’s rally from two sets down to reach the US Open semi-finals, Coco Gauff saved two match points in her own fightback victory on Wednesday.
World number four Gauff was on the edge of defeat in a second-set tie-breaker before ousting reigning French Open champion Mirra Andreeva 2-6, 7-6 (9/7), 6-2 to reach the US Open semi-finals.
Gauff advanced to a Thursday match at Arthur Ashe Stadium against Elena Rybakina, who beat Chinese qualifier Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, to ensure the second-ranked Kazakh star will leap to world number one next week.
Gauff’s victory was much like compatriot Tiafoe’s comeback triumph Tuesday over fellow American Alex Michelsen in a dramatic five-setter.
“Sometimes you just need a little bit of inspiration, and Frances was that for me in that moment,” Gauff said.
“I was just really determined to not lose that second set, because I felt like I worked so hard to give myself opportunities and lost them.
“I didn’t know how the third set would go, but I was just really focused on trying not to lose that second set.
“One point turned into another. Once the third set started, I felt pretty confident I was going to come out with that one.”
Gauff, the 2023 US Open and 2025 French Open winner, is excited that three black players – herself, Tiafoe and Shelton have a chance to win at Ashe, named for a legendary 1960s black tennis pioneer.
Gauff’s incredible semifinal escape | 01:30
Either Tiafoe or Shelton will play for the chance to be the first US men’s major winner in 23 years.
“It’s so incredible. Honestly, especially on the men’s side, I never thought I’d be able to have the chance to see like an all-Black semi-final between the guys in my lifetime,” Gauff said.
“And to have also me in the semis, I think it’s really cool.” It helps sustain Gauff’s belief in herself and her game.
Gauff will now face Elena Rybakina in the semi-final for a place in the US Open decider, where either Aryna Sabalenka or Jessica Pegula will await.
KHACHANOV ADVANCES AS BELGIAN FORCED TO RETIRE
Karen Khachanov punched his surprise ticket the US Open semi-finals, advancing when Belgian Alexander Blockx retired from their quarter-final with the Russian leading 6-2, 7-5, 3-2.
Khachanov, currently ranked 50th in the world, entered the tournament unseeded at a Grand Slam for the first time since Wimbledon in 2018.
But he is in his third Grand Slam semi-final after making it to the last four at the 2022 US Open and the 2023 Australian Open.
He will face either top-seeded Alexander Zverev or Dutch veteran Botic van de Zandschulp for a place in the final.
Khachanov’s run to the quarters had featured wins over third-seeded Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime and rising US talent Learner Tien, seeded 14th.
In Blockx, he faced an opponent who was already battling injuries coming in.
“I think my body just gave up.” Blockx said.
“I wasn’t able to move too well already, and that made it even worse.
“Honestly, I was waiting for him to break me, because I was feeling so bad on the court.
Khachanov admitted it was clear his opponent was struggling physically as the match wore on.
“I saw really that he was suffering all over his body,” Khachanov said.
Blockx, the first Belgian man to reach the US Open quarters, said he was on the verge of retiring with a rib injury in his fourth-round win over Francisco Cerundolo.
On Thursday, he had medical timeouts for treatment on a foot and for apparent lower back pain that hindered him throughout.