American 22Aged Coco Gauff reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals with 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory of Switzerland 29Belinda Bencic, the No. 1 Court in two hours again 18 minutes.
The victory sends the No. 7 she reached the last eight at the All England Club, where she continued her pursuit of a third Grand Slam singles title.
Bencic, who reached the Wimbledon semifinals last year, stayed with Gauff throughout the tournament and tested the American with his hitting. But Gauff’s athleticism, strength, and ability to step it up in the big moments ultimately proved the difference.
Despite getting off to a fast start—winning the first three games—Gauff double-faulted six times in the first set as well 14 previous errors. Bencic strengthened himself and only changed things 10 unforced errors as well 4 the winners.
Gauff fought back in the second set, breaking Bencic in the fourth game. In 5-3Gauff clinched the set with a nice drop shot/lob combination.
(Photos by Geoff Burke/Imagn)
In the final set, Gauff raised his game. He broke in the first game and again in the fifth game, then defended his lead with a confident performance and composed the basic game. It works for the game and the clock for Wimbledon’s 11 nearing curfew, he capped off the victory with a sweet treat full on time.
Gauff is done 34 winners, 4 aces, too 9 double faults. He won 69 a percentage of the original score as well 40 the percentage of points to work a second time while converting 5 of 12 broken points.
Benic, making him 10Looking at the main-draw of Wimbledon, he wanted to return to the semifinals after last year’s match. The former Olympic gold medalist pushed Gauff all over the place but couldn’t find a way past the American’s pace and controlled the aggression in the closing stages.
In his press conference after the game, Gauff said: “I think it was a great game
both of us. It was a fun experience, honestly. I think this was my best match so far of the tournament, maybe one of my best grass matches ever. I’m really proud of the level I brought today.”
When asked what he was thinking at the time, Gauff said: “To be honest, I was thinking about it
the whole game. I don’t know if I went to it, but before the game, they told us both 11:00, da-da-da, all spiel.
“Then we started the first set, I think that was it 10:05. No, we started the third set with 10:05. It should be enough to finish this set, but I don’t know.
“Then we had a few long games. The next thing you know, it is 10:45and I said, Oh, my God. I didn’t want to leave here tomorrow. I was just trying to get up for a break and stay until the break because I was like, I’d rather come out here and take a break instead of the other way around.
“Yeah, I didn’t realize that once we started the endgame, no matter how long it took, we’d be allowed to finish. I thought honestly 11:00 and it was a wrap. It was good to know next time that I don’t have to be in such a hurry.”
