Young tennis star, Gauff, to mentally picture the audience as supportive and cheering for her during her match against Boisson.
Hustle and heart: Gauff battles past rivals
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In a nail-biting quarter-final clash, young phenomenon Coco Gauff (18) outlasted fellow American Madison Keys (27) 6-7 (6/8), 6-4, 6-1, in a test of resolve and resilience. The duo traded a staggering 14 double-faults and racked up an impressive 101 unforced errors between them in the intense battle.
As Gauff prepares to face the unseeded Boisson in the semi-finals, she'll need to be ready for enthusiastic home support and an electric atmosphere. When asked how she copes with boisterous crowds, she replied, "I just see them as fans, not against me. I try to energize off their enthusiasm. If they get too rowdy, I'll mentally prepare for it and take it in my stride. It's all part of the excitement of playing sports."
Meanwhile, Russian sixth seed Mirra Andreeva seemed to succumb to the pressure, slumping in a heartbreaking defeat to Boisson. With the last six games going against her and visible frustration on her face, she appeared to crumble under the weight of expectations.
But Gauff reassured reporters that she'd be ready for whatever surprises come her way. "I don't mind crowds. I've played in crowds that are 99% for me, so I know how to navigate that. As long as people are respectful, there's no issue. I want to encourage everyone to show support and embrace the spirit of sport."
exhibiting tenacity
Key's (27) tense first set saw a tiebreak, after she blew a 4-1 lead due to a double-break, but Gauff (18) displayed surprising determination to bounce back and take the match. In 2022, Keys was the runner-up to Iga Swiatek in a one-sided showpiece match.
Keys (27) was hoping to challenge for back-to-back Grand Slam titles, but her bid to secure a second semi-final appearance in Paris fell short. Gauff (18) is aiming to surpass last year's result when she was defeated by Swiatek (21) in the semi-finals.
Throughout her career, Gauff (18) has become known for pulling off comeback wins, including in the 2023 US Open final against Aryna Sabalenka (26). How does she maintain her composure under pressure? "It's all about wanting to win, having the will to succeed. I've always had that competitive spirit, not just on the tennis court. I want to give it my all, so the losses won't hurt as much as regrets about leaving chances on the table."
Gauff (18) will need to tighten up her serving skills, having delivered 10 double-faults against Keys (27), seven in the first set alone. She acknowledged that improving her serve would be key ahead of the semi-finals, but she remained unfazed, ready to take on the challenge.
Her upcoming opponent, Boisson, will be a mystery to Gauff, having never met a top-10 opponent before defeating Jessica Pegula and teen sensation Mirra Andreeva this week. When asked about facing an unknown adversary, Gauff replied, "It's part of the game. I love the unpredictability of tennis. One day, you're playing against seasoned pros, and the next day, you're facing someone you've never even heard of. It keeps everything fresh and exciting."
© 2025 AFP
Insights:
- Coco Gauff has shown remarkable resilience, bouncing back from difficult situations to win matches.
- Her competitive spirit and determination have helped her to maintain her focus and perform under pressure.
- Gauff has faced both boisterous crowds and quieter atmospheres and has managed to adapt to different situations effectively.
- She finds inspiration in the spirit of the game, whether playing in front of fans that support her or those who cheer for her opponents.
- Gauff's unflappable attitude and adaptability make her a formidable opponent in any tournament.
Top seed Coco Gauff demonstrated her dedication to sports once again, showcasing tenacity in her tennis matches, including a comeback victory against Madison Keys during the 2022 tournament. As she gears up for her semi-final bout against Russian player Boisson, Gauff is determined to emulate Russia's championship spirit, ready to take on the unpredictability and excitement that tennis presents.