Coco Gauff came very close to losing at the 2023 US Open once again, but yet again, she pushed through to beat an inspired Elise Mertens.
Even before the last major of the season started, everyone talked about the 19-year-old as the biggest favourite for the event. That's something that the young American never experienced before, especially when it comes on a Grand Slam stage.
But after winning the 2023 Cincinnati Masters, and lifting her maiden WTA 1000 title, Gauff certainly had all the confidence needed to succeed. Even the US Open's Power Index saw the teenager as the top player, and therefore she has a lot to prove at the event.
The youngster was ranked even ahead of the world no. 1 in the WTA Rankings, Iga Swiatek, who is thrashing one opponent after another. But already in her first-round match, Gauff had to dig deep in a heated three-setter against Laura Siegemund.
After that, the American defeated 16-year-old Mirra Andreeva, but another challenge came after that, as Gauff took on experienced Elise Mertens. Although the 19-year-old won in both of their previous meetings, she struggled early on in front of the packed Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The likes of Justin Bieber and Jimmy Butler watched the match, and maybe the pressure was what gave Gauff problems early on. After failing to convert two break points in the opening set, she offered her opponent chances, and Mertens took them, winning the opener 6-3 after two breaks of serve.
The Belgian had multiple chances to go ahead in the second set, but eventually, Gauff played the crucial rallies better and with a hard-fought performance, she forced the third set despite facing seven break points in the second set. The American won it 6-3 as both players headed away from the court to prepare for the third set.
Both came back prepared, but it seemed like only one of the two was determined to win. Gauff showed why she's the biggest favourite to win the 2023 US Open and thrashed her opponent in the third set of the match, 6-0, to win 3-6, 6-3, 6-0, and reach the second week of the 2023 US Open.
In the fourth round of the tournament, she will play against one of the most experienced players in the draw, as Caroline Wozniacki managed to beat Jennifer Brady in three sets, and their meeting will present a real challenge for both players.
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