It was the year 2000. An 18-year-old Serena Williams was the defending champion at the US Open and entered the tournament as the fifth seed. The American legend managed to make it to the quarterfinals of the tournament before bowing out with a defeat against Lindsay Davenport. Nonetheless, she managed to make it to back-to-back quarterfinals in her teen days. Now, 23 years later, Coco Gauff has emulated Serena’s unique US Open feat.

Yesterday, the American sensation got the better of comeback queen, Caroline Wozniacki, to enter the quarterfinals of the 2023 US Open. In the process, she matched her idol’s achievement.

Coco Gauff is breaking records on her way to a career-best US Open finish

23 years ago, the American legend made consecutive appearances in the US Open quarterfinals as a teen. Since then, no American teenager has managed to have this result until this year.

With a topsy-turvy win over Wozniacki, Gauff made it to the last eight at the US Open. In the process, she became the first American teen since Serena Williams to secure back-to-back quarterfinal appearances. Last year, the 19-year-old reached the last eight but bowed out of the tournament with a defeat against Caroline Garcia in the quarterfinals.

With each passing match, Gauff continues to improve her standards. Even her opponent, Wozniacki, spoke highly about her, saying, “She’s always been a great athlete. She’s always had the backhand, the serve, the fighting spirit. I feel like right now, it’s all kind of coming together for her.”

Time and again, Gauff has shared inspiration taken from her idol, Serena. Recently, she made a strong statement, giving Serena Williams vibes at the US Open.

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Gauff shuts down criticism in style

During an interview, the American sensation was asked if the three-setters were a spot of bother for her. For the record, except for the second-round match, all of Gauff’s singles matches have gone to three sets at this year’s US Open.

Smartly dismissing those concerns, she said, “If anything, the three setters show everybody else that I’m not going down without a fight.” Subsequently, Gauff shared her words on her official Twitter handle and revealed, “Never stop fighting.”

It once again reminded of Serena, as the American legend often shut down critics with a strong response in bold fashion. Further, as Gauff braces to dig deep in this year’s US Open, she’ll face Jelena Ostapenko in the last eight. The latter defeated World Number 1, Iga Swiatek, for a place in the US Open quarterfinals. It’ll be interesting to see who prevails in this action-packed contest.

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