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Coco Gauff writes her name in the history books.
The 19-year-old phenom won her US Open semi-final match against Karolina Muchová on Thursday, 6-4, 7-5.
Although the win came in straight sets, it didn’t come easy – the penultimate point was a 40-shot exchange as Muchová desperately tried to turn the second set into a tiebreaker on his serve – but Gauff managed to break the point to clinch the win.
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Coco Gauff of the United States celebrates winning over Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic in the Women’s Semifinals match at Arthur Ashe Stadium during the 2023 U.S. Open Tennis Championship at the USTA National Tennis Center, on September 7, 2023 in Flushing, Queens. , New York City. (Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
Gauff actually had six separate match points before closing out the game – one when she was leading 5-3 in the second set, and four more on the final point.
But the American obviously had the home advantage and won.
“Some of those points, it was so loud, and I don’t know if my ears are going to be okay,” Gauff said.
With the victory, she is the youngest American to reach the final of the US Open since the legendary Serena Williams in 1999, when she was just 17 years old. She would go on to defeat Martina Hingis for her first of 23 Grand Slam titles.
At the time, Williams became the first African-American woman in the open era to win a singles grand slam.
This is Gauff’s second Grand Slam final, having reached the 2022 French Open final where she lost to Iga Swiatek. His previous best finish at Queens was in the quarter-finals last year.
Coco Gauff of the United States celebrates the match point against Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic in their women’s semifinal match on day eleven of the 2023 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 7 2023 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens neighborhood of New York. (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
‘END OF FOSSIL FUELS’ PROTESTERS DISRUPT SEMI-FINAL PIVOTAL MATCH; THE DEMONSTRATOR GLUES THE SHOES TO THE FLOOR
The game was not without some frenzied events in the stands as climate protesters disrupted the action on the pitch.
Wearing jerseys that read ‘End Fossil Fuels’, US Open tournament referee Jake Gardner entered the court as security entered the stands to expel protesters. A total of four protesters were taken into custody. One of them even stuck his feet to the ground.
“After the first match of the second set of the Gauff-Muchova match, play was halted due to a protest led by four spectators,” the US Tennis Federation said in a statement.
The organization said 49 minutes had passed before play resumed.
Protesters demonstrate during a match between Coco Gauff of the United States and Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic in the women’s singles semifinals of the US Open tennis championships on Thursday, September 7, 2023, At New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
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The eventful protest could have reminded Gauff of that night for all the wrong reasons, but now she has her eyes set on a much higher price.
“I grew up watching this tournament a lot, so it means a lot to be in the final. A lot to celebrate,” Gauff said. “But the job is not finished, so I hope you can support me on Saturday.”
She will face No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus or No. 17 Madison Keys of the United States on Saturday.
Ryan Gaydos of Fox News and Associated Press contributed to this report.
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