Coco Gauff dug deep on Tuesday to secure her place in the French Open semifinals, battling past fellow American Madison Keys 6-7(6), 6-4, 6-1.
The win marks Gauff’s second consecutive semi-final appearance at Roland Garros and her third overall – another milestone in a career already defined by record-setting consistency. At just 21 years and 73 days, Gauff becomes the youngest American woman in the Open Era to reach 25 match wins at the French Open.
She’s also the youngest American to reach back-to-back semifinals in Paris since Andrea Jaeger in 1982, and her victory over world number 12 Keys is her 10th over a top-10 opponent at a Grand Slam, a benchmark not seen since Serena Williams achieved it in 2002.
But Tuesday’s result was anything but straightforward.
The opening two sets were marked by erratic play from both players. Keys took the first in a nervy tiebreak, but struggled to maintain momentum as Gauff began to find her range. Both players produced more unforced errors than winners, with long stretches of inconsistency reflecting the weight of the moment.
TNT Sports analyst Chris Evert, an 18-time major champion, didn’t mince words in commentary.
“It’s been a sketchy match,” Evert observed. “More than three times as many unforced errors as winners. I’m shocked – they both looked tight and never really settled into their games.”
Despite the rocky start, Gauff showed the resilience that has become her trademark. She steadied her game in the second set, broke Keys at a critical juncture, and dominated the decider with a near-flawless display of controlled aggression and movement.
“She’s a fighter,” Evert said of Gauff. “She didn’t play her best tennis early on and had to deal with Madison’s heavy forehand, but in the third set, she looked composed and clinical. That’s what makes her dangerous-she never gives in.”
While Keys will rue her missed chances, particularly after winning a tight first set, it was Gauff’s mental edge that proved decisive. The world number two appeared both relieved and elated at the finish, aware that she had survived a tough test – and raised her level when it mattered most.
Gauff will face either 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva or French wildcard Lois Boisson in the semifinals. With Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka also still in the draw, the road ahead is far from easy – but Gauff continues to show she belongs in the conversation at the very top of the women’s game.
