Coco Gauff and Simona Halep met yesterday in the quarterfinals of the Canadian Open, and the Romanian had kind words for Gauff after the match.
Halep has recovered impressively at the Canadian Open after retiring from her second-round match against Anna Kalinskaya at last week's Citi Open after finding the brutally hot conditions in Washington too much.
The weather in Toronto for the Canadian Open is warm but far more bearable for players like Halep, who struggle in the heat. She showed her comfort in the Toronto conditions against Gauff.
Despite both sets being close during a high-quality contest, Halep prevailed 6-4, 7-6 to reach the semifinals. That result continued her improvements since the grass-court season under Patrick Mouratoglou, who she hired as her coach a few months ago.
It was Gauff's fourth consecutive loss to Halep. However, the two-time Grand Slam champion only had positive things to say about the 18-year-old afterward, praising her as a player and a person.
“I feel she is improving so much mentally and also as a person. She’s super matured since we played together when she was 15 in Wimbledon. She’s a great person. She’s super nice."
Halep is also convinced that Gauff will become a Grand Slam champion and that it could happen soon. She said it is clear Gauff wants to reach the top, which will help make that ambition a reality.
"And I feel like she’s going to be a Grand Slam champion soon. She has everything to do that. I also feel that she really wants it. So she’s improving a lot. I feel like every day she’s improving, which is great to see.”
It is easy to forget that Gauff is still just 18 years old. She reached her maiden Grand Slam final at this year's French Open, and the American seems destined for greatness.