COCO Gauff has passed Serena Williams in a feat as the US tennis star moves on in the Cincinnati Open.
The 21-year-old advanced to the quarterfinals of the Cincinnati Open on Thursday.
US tennis icon Coco Gauff seen in action against Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti in the Round of 16 of the Cincinnati Open on Thursday[/caption]
Gauff won in two sets, 6-2 and 6-4, as she advanced to the Round of 8[/caption]
Coco Gauff defeated Lucia Bronzetti in the Round of 16 on Thursday afternoon.
She beat the Italian in a two-set match, 6-2 and 6-4.
Gauff will look to win her second Cincinnati Open title in three years as she waits for the winner of Jasmine Paolini and Barbora Krejcikova.
But after Thursday’s win, she made history by passing the iconic Serena Williams.
Since the Tier 1/WTA-1000 format was introduced in 1990, Gauff now has the third most quarterfinal appearances in such events with 19 before turning 22.
Williams had 18 before her 22nd birthday.
Gauff is just one back behind Maria Sharapova with 20.
However, she won’t be able to pass Marina Hingis, who is at the top with 39 quarterfinals before age 22.
Gauff will be 22 on March 13 next year, so she still has time to claim the No. 2 spot.
After the win, Gauff opened up about her play as she admitted she still could’ve played better while noting her “tough” opponent.
“For the most part, I played aggressive,” Gauff said.
“Maybe got a bit passive in some of those games. But it’s tough.
“The balls are super light, and they fly. She wasn’t giving me much pace.
“I was trying to play with control but also aggressive.
US tennis legend Serena Williams won 73 WTA Tour-level singles titles in her career[/caption]
“For the most part I think I did well. I had chances in a couple of those games.
“I missed a couple balls. But I learned from it and was able to close it out.
Gauff’s quarterfinal match against either Paolini or Krejcikova will be on Friday.
Her first WTA 1000 title was in 2023 when she beat the then-world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the semifinals and world No. 10, Karolína Muchová, in the final.
The then-19-year-old was the youngest champion in the tournament’s history.
The title came just a month before Gauff won the US Open a month later, for her first major singles title as she defeated Aryna Sabalenka.
