Gauff upholds teen tradition in Washington

Coco Gauff became the third American teenager to reach the semi-finals of the WTA Washington event, with the 19-year-old posting a -1, 6-2 thrashing of Belinda Bencic

Florida’s Gauff joined compatriot Caty McNally (2019) and Sloane Stephens (2012) in the ranks of the tournamen’t teenaged elite.

Third seed Gauff is into her fourth semi of the season after going past the Swiss with 17 winners; Bencia was let down by 26 unforced errors in 88 minutes.

The winner now plays defending champion Liudmila Samsonova, with Gauff aiming for a second trophy this season after winning in New Zealand the first week of January.

“I’m really happy with how I played today,” Gauff said.”Belinda is easy player to play. 

“I played all types of tennis. I was the aggressor in some moments. Some moments I was the defender.”

Gauff called the performance “probably one of the top matches that I have played. … (especially against) the calibre of player and the way I played.”

She added: “This is the tennis that I have been trying to play. I don’t know if I’m a hard critic of myself… but I feel I could have done better in a lot of moments today.

“I don’t think the scoreline reflected the level of the match.”

Gauff swept the last four games of each set in her victory and fired four aces in a key second-set game. She broke Bencic six times from nine chances.