Gauff’s Grit: How She Shocked a Legend at the French Open

Coco Gauff’s journey at the 2025 French Open has been nothing short of captivating. In a thrilling quarterfinal match, the young American faced off against fellow American Madison Keys, the No. 7 seed and reigning Australian Open champion. What ensued was a display of resilience, strategic adjustments, and sheer determination that left spectators, including a former world No. 1, in awe.

The Rollercoaster Quarterfinal

The all-American quarterfinal clash saw Gauff, the No. 2 seed, emerge victorious with a score of 6-7 (6), 6-4, 6-1. However, the path to victory was far from smooth. The match was a rollercoaster, filled with unforced errors, double faults, and momentum shifts that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

A Rocky Start

Gauff had a shaky start, falling behind 4-1 in the first set. Errors plagued her game, and it seemed Keys was poised to dominate. However, Gauff dug deep, displaying the mental fortitude that has become her trademark. She rallied back, winning four consecutive games to briefly take the lead.

Tiebreak Trouble

Despite her comeback, Gauff couldn’t maintain the momentum, and the first set eventually went to a tiebreak. The tiebreak was a tense affair, with both players trading points. Gauff’s struggles with her serve resurfaced, as she committed three double faults. Keys ultimately clinched the tiebreak 8-6, taking the first set.

Adjustments and Resilience

Losing the first set could have been a breaking point for Gauff, but she refused to let it derail her. She regrouped during the break and returned to the court with renewed focus. In the second set, Gauff once again established a 4-1 lead. However, Keys, displaying her own resilience, fought back to level the score. This time, Gauff managed to pull away, securing the set 6-4.

Dominance in the Decider

The third set was a masterclass from Gauff. She minimized her errors, capitalized on Keys’ mistakes, and took control of the match. Gauff raced to a commanding lead, leaving Keys with no answers. The set was a stark contrast to the previous two, as Gauff showcased her superior form and closed out the match 6-1.

Keys’ Perspective

Madison Keys acknowledged Gauff’s court coverage abilities made her victory challenging. Keys noted that she had to “win the point multiple times before it’s actually over” when facing Gauff.

The Numbers Game

A look at the statistics reveals the story of the match:

• Unforced Errors: Keys had 60 unforced errors, while Gauff had 41.
• Third Set Errors: Gauff only committed two unforced errors in the third set, compared to Keys’ 16.
• First Serve Win Rate: Gauff had a 75% win rate on her first serve.
• Break Points: Gauff converted 53% of her break points.

These numbers highlight Gauff’s ability to clean up her game as the match progressed, while Keys struggled to maintain consistency.

Shocking a Former World No. 1

While specific quotes from former world No. 1 players reacting to this particular match are unavailable in the search results, the general sentiment is clear: Gauff’s performance was impressive and showcased her potential to dominate the sport.

Unapologetic Tribute

In a resurfaced story from her 2019 Wimbledon debut, Gauff faced Venus Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam champion and former World No. 1. After defeating Williams, Gauff’s post-match actions revealed her maturity. Instead of apologizing for ending Williams’ run, Gauff thanked her “for everything she’s done for the sport,” showing respect for Williams’ legacy.

Gauff’s Rise to the Top

Coco Gauff’s journey to the top of the tennis world has been marked by impressive achievements:

• Grand Slam Champion: Gauff won the 2023 US Open, her first major singles title.
• WTA Finals Champion: In 2024, she won the WTA Finals, becoming the youngest player to do so since Maria Sharapova in 2004.
• Career-High Ranking: Gauff reached a career-high ranking of world No. 2 in singles on June 10, 2024.
• Doubles Success: Gauff has also excelled in doubles, winning the 2024 French Open title with Katerina Siniaková.

Calls for Video Review

Amidst her French Open run, Gauff has been vocal about the need for video review (VR) in tennis. Following a controversial call in her semi-final defeat by Iga Swiatek in the previous year, Gauff stressed that tennis is “the only sport where not only we don’t have the VR system, but a lot of times decisions are made by one person.” She pointed out that the US Open has implemented VR with positive feedback.

Looking Ahead

With her quarterfinal victory over Madison Keys, Coco Gauff advanced to the French Open semi-finals for the second consecutive year. She is set to face the winner of the Mirra Andreeva-Lois Boisson match for a chance to compete in the final. As Gauff continues her quest for a French Open title, her resilience, strategic acumen, and unwavering determination will undoubtedly be on full display.