It was the battle of the two most recent Grand Slam women’s tennis champions.
On Day 6 of the 2023 ATP Finals, Wimbledon Champion Marketa Vondrousova faced US Open Champion Coco Gauff.
This match had the usual Cancun weather obstacles players have been dealing with throughout the week, gusty winds that sent the ball in unexpected directions and a brief rain delay.
Gauff dropped the first set but played two solid sets to earn the victory and advance to the semifinals.
In typical Coco style, she rallied and ran her way past a match point by Vondrousova.
Getting the crowd HYPED 🗣
Vondrousova serves for the match, but @CocoGauff levels the score at 5-7, 7-6(4).#WTAFinals pic.twitter.com/kQ2CaYDQk9
— wta (@WTA) November 4, 2023
That’s a BIG win for @CocoGauff 🙌
She scores a crucial 5-7, 7-6(4), 6-3 comeback over Vondrousova 👏 #WTAFinals pic.twitter.com/1Z8ILGrPe1
— wta (@WTA) November 4, 2023
Victory No. 5️⃣1️⃣ this year!@CocoGauff | #WTAFinals pic.twitter.com/5vchabhF6L
— wta (@WTA) November 4, 2023
After the match, looking the most relaxed she has all week, Gauff explained how she is staying mentally tough amid very tough playing conditions.
Coco Gauff gives her tips for playing tennis in nightmare conditions:
“Try not to get too frustrated, move your feet and pray that it goes in.” 😂 pic.twitter.com/e6H4yGdu2f
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 4, 2023
Saturday’s Semifinals Are Set
Gauff will next face her American compatriot and doubles partner Jessica Pegula who is arguably playing her best tennis of the year in Cancun.
The other semifinal will consist of Iga Swiatek taking on Aryna Sabalenka.
Singles semifinals tomorrow! 😍 #WTAFinals pic.twitter.com/T8ITgUFe9U
— LaWanda (@lawanda50) November 4, 2023
There are a lot of things at stake in these two semifinal matches.
Only one American will advance, and this is the first time in over 20 years two Americans are in the semifinals; the last time was in 2002 when Serena Williams and Jennifer Capriati faced off.
Swiatek can avenge her loss of the World No. 1 ranking to Aryna Sabalenka who has been the best and most consistent player throughout the year.
She is the first woman since Justine Henin in 2006 to advance to the semifinals of all four Grand Slams and the WTA Finals in the same calendar year.
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