Gauff guts error-prone Ostapenko

Coco Gauff left Jelena Ostapenko no breathing room as the 19-year-old crushed the Latvian 6-0, 6-2 on Tuesday to book a career-first semi-final at the US Open.

Gauff broke the former Roland Garros winner six times and never let her opponent into the one-way contest which ended after 69 minutes on a third match point.

Since losing in the Wimbledon first round two months ago, Gauff has won 16 of her last 17 matches, with titles in Washington and Cincinnati; she extended her current win streak to 10 matches. .

She is the first American teenager to reach the semis here since Serena Williams in 2001.

“It feels great, I’m so happy,” the winner said after the shortest match of her tournament so far.

“Last year I lost in the quarters and I wanted to do better. But I still have a long way to go.

“I have to get back to work for the next one.”

Ostapenko barely made an impression, striking well over 30 unforced errors and losing serve six times.

The streaky world No. 21 with a fearsome on-court temper had defeated No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the previous round.

Gauff admitted she needed full concentration despite her match scoreline.

“I was nervous the whole match, even on the match points. She has the ability to come back.

“I was just trying to get every point, get every ball back.”

Gauff will play her semi-final against the winner from French Open runner-up Karolina Muchova and Romanian Sorana Cirstea.

Main photo:-US Open 2023 Day 9 Coco Gauff (USA) wins quarter final match by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd