After making an incredible comeback against fifth seed Mirra Andreeva in a thrilling quarterfinal at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Coco Gauff secured her spot in the 2026 US Open final four.
After a challenging first set and two match points in the second-set tiebreak, the fourth-seeded American, who won her first Grand Slam championship at Flushing Meadows in 2023, overcame Andreeva 2-6, 7-6(7), 6-2.
The triumph maintains Gauff’s chances of capturing a second championship in New York alive and advances her to the US Open quarterfinals for the second time in her career.
The American had a terrible start to the game. Andreeva placed Gauff under pressure right away, taking an early lead as the home favorite found it difficult to settle into a rhythm. Gauff made a number of unintentional mistakes and double faults that gave the Russian the upper hand.
Gauff faced the challenging job of overcoming a deficit against an opponent who had been playing confidently throughout the competition after Andreeva won the first set 6-2 in just 26 minutes.
However, Gauff steadily discovered her range right. As the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd tried to encourage the American, the second set turned into a much closer match in which both players traded breaks and produced several exhausting rallies.
The second-set tiebreak proved to be the match’s pivotal moment. Andreeva gained two match points, and Gauff was faced with elimination. But the American would not give up.
During an incredible 39-shot rally that Gauff ultimately won with a flawlessly executed drop shot, one of the most unforgettable moments occurred. She subsequently secured the set 7-6(7) and forced a deciding set after saving another match point.
The match’s tone was drastically altered by the turnaround. As Gauff gained confidence, Andreeva, who had appeared to be in total control during the first set, started to make more mistakes.
The American took the initiative right away, breaking Andreeva’s serve and applying constant pressure to her opponent. Gauff grew more aggressive and calm, while Andreeva found it difficult to replicate the consistency she had displayed earlier in the competition.
After gaining a second break and getting close to winning, Gauff finished the game 6-2. The Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd exploded in support as the 22-year-old celebrated with obvious relief and happiness after making the winning shot.
The triumph keeps Gauff’s stellar streak going. She has now won 11 straight games and 20 of her last 22 matches since Wimbledon, according to the WTA. Additionally, she increased her WTA Tour record versus Andreeva to 6-0.
More significantly, Gauff has once again shown the tenacity that has come to characterize her style of play.
Speaking after the match, Gauff summed up her approach simply, saying the key was to keep fighting.
Her ability to recover from a disastrous opening set and two match points down in the tiebreak could prove crucial as she enters the final stages of the tournament.
Standing between Gauff and a place in the US Open final is Elena Rybakina, who also battled back from a set down to defeat Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-1, 6-4. The result secured Rybakina’s place in the semifinals and guaranteed that she will become the new WTA world No. 1.
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The upcoming semifinal will therefore feature two of the tournament’s biggest stories: Gauff’s dramatic resurgence and Rybakina’s rise to the top of women’s tennis.
The two players have split their previous two meetings, making the semifinal particularly intriguing.
Gauff acknowledged the challenge ahead, noting that Rybakina is set to become the new world No. 1 and describing the matchup as a tough one.
Remarkably, all four top seeds have reached the women’s singles semifinals at the US Open for the first time in 51 years, adding another historic dimension to this year’s tournament.
For Gauff, however, the focus will be on one objective: getting back to the US Open final and lifting the trophy she first won three years ago.
After surviving one of the most dramatic matches of her tournament, the American has once again shown that counting her out is never an option.
From a disastrous start to two match points down, Gauff fought her way back—and now she is just two victories away from becoming a two-time US Open champion.