No.2 seed Coco Gauff withstood a commendable 2nd set comeback from Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova to win their round of 16 clash 6-0, 7-5. Gauff- who is yet to drop a set this fortnight- was clinical in the first set, using her superior physicality to force the Russian into a host of errors.
2025 WTA Tour
Grand Slam Tennis
French Open
Stade Roland Garros, Paris, France (Outdoor Clay)
Selected Quarterfinals- 4th June
Coco Gauff (2) 0.44 vs Madison Keys (7) 1.75
Alexandrova was more aggressive in the 2nd set and managed to peg a break back. But Gauff’s consistency of shot came to the fore once again and she went on to win 12 of the last 16 points in the match. Gauff’s victory improved her 2025 clay-court record to 15-3 (she reached back-to-back finals in Madrid and Rome). The 2022 French Open runner-up has now reached five successive Roland Garros quarterfinals, becoming the youngest woman to reach 5+ quarterfinals at a single Grand Slam event since Venus Williams at the US Open in 2001. Gauff has managed to serve more consistently this week, coughing up 20 double-faults en route to the quarters (she was reaching double-figures in a single match a few months ago). Gauff is arguably the best mover on tour and will be a tough nut to crack on these surfaces.
Reigning Aussie Open champ Madison Keys made it eleven consecutive Grand Slam victories with a 6-3, 7-5 win over compatriot Hailey Baptiste. Keys survived a mammoth scare in her 3rd round clash, saving three match points against a revitalized Sofia Kenin. She was never in that type of danger against Baptiste, weathering some sturdy 2nd set resistance to reach the quarterfinals here for the first time since 2019. Keys served brilliantly throughout, firing seven aces and winning 76% of her first-serve points. She hit 26 winners to 18 unforced errors in arguably her most impressive showing this fortnight. A semifinalist here back in 2018, this will be her 3rd appearance in the Roland Garros quarters. Keys has been a consistent clay-court performer over the years, using her big serve and imposing forehand to penetrate these slower surfaces. She will need to elevate her game if she wishes to pick up her 3rd consecutive American scalp.
The Verdict: Gauff to win in straight sets at 1.01– Keys leads the head-to-head 3-2, winning their most recent meeting at last year’s Madrid Open (their only previous clay-court meeting). I went back and forth on this match. Keys has the slight head-to-head superiority and has been on a fantastic Grand Slam streak. I just think that Gauff’s mobility could be the telling factor in this clash. Keys was pushed to the limit against Kenin and also looked slightly uncomfortable in the 2nd set against Baptiste. Gauff has grown into the tournament and could produce her best tennis in this clash.
