It was a historic day at the Western & Southern Open on Saturday, as 15-year-old Coco Gauff defeated world No. 1 Iga Swiatek to advance to the finals. It was a stunning upset for the Polish player, who had been on an impressive run of form leading up to the match.
Gauff, who is ranked No. 44 in the world, had been on a roll since the start of the tournament, beating three top-10 players in the process. She had already beaten two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep and former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova before her match with Swiatek.
The match itself was a thrilling affair, with Gauff coming out on top in three sets. She won 6-4, 6-4, showing her mental strength and resilience in the face of a formidable opponent. Her composure and determination were evident throughout the match, as she fought off multiple break points and saved a match point to win the second set.
The victory marks a major milestone for Gauff, who is the youngest player to reach a WTA final since 2004. She is also the youngest American to reach a WTA final since Venus Williams in 1997.
Gauff will now face off against fellow American Jennifer Brady in the final. Brady has been in impressive form throughout the tournament, having beaten three top-10 players herself. It promises to be an exciting match between two of the most talented young players in women’s tennis.
No matter who wins, it is clear that Gauff has made history with her performance at the Western & Southern Open. She has shown that she is a force to be reckoned with on the court, and her victory over Swiatek is sure to be remembered for years to come.