Gauff Stops Late Comeback to Reach Quarterfinals at Indian Wells

| by Zlatko Vodenicharov

Coco Gauff advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2023 Indian Wells after beating inspired Rebecca Peterson.

The young American wanted to continue her solid run in 2023, which was marked by 13 wins and only three losses, also in the fourth round of the 2023 Indian Wells, but her opponent, who won 11 of her last 12 matches was certainly against.

In Indian Wells, Gauff was yet to drop a set, but when she faced Peterson the last time, in 2019 in Midland, the Swede won comfortably 6-2, 6-1, but back then, current world no. 6 was only 14 years old.

Not Just About Winning: The Inspiring Partnership of Gauff and Pegula
Not Just About Winning: The Inspiring Partnership of Gauff and Pegula

In the first set, Gauff was the first player to lose her serve, but thanks to immediately stealing the following two service games of her opponent, the yesterday turned 19-year-old won the first set 6-3 to continue her run in the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

But this time, it wouldn't be a straights sets win for Gauff. Despite facing a break point in the first set, Peterson had a great start to the second set, breaking her opponent twice and gaining a 5-0 lead. The Swede then faced three break points in the seventh game, but she kept her cool and won the second set 6-1.

Everything was going really well for Peterson also in the third set. She got an early break and she built on it with a hold of serve to lead 3-1. But thanks to her incredible fighting spirit, Gauff broke back and earned herself a 5-4 lead in the decider.

The home crowd favourite rode the momentum and supported by the loud cheers of the crowd in Indian Wells, she won the match in the next game, triumphing 6-3, 1-6, 6-4.

In the next round, she will meet the winner of a meeting between the 16th-seeded Barbora Krejcikova and no. 2 and reigning Australian Open champion, Aryna Sabalenka.

"It's not easy to overcome" - Shriver on the early expectations of Coco Gauff
"It's not easy to overcome" - Shriver on the early expectations of Coco Gauff

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