(Cincinnati) Coco Gauff created a surprise on Saturday by eliminating in the semi-finals of the WTA 1000 tournament in Cincinnati the world No.1, Iga Swiatek, in three sets 7-6 (7/2), 3-6, 6-4 .
The American won the first set in the tiebreaker not without passing three aces and winning 85.7% of the points on her first serve.
But Swiatek turned the tide by winning 2e 6-3. The Polish waited for the 4e game of this set to pass his first ace and then concluded on a blank break to return to Gauff’s level.
PHOTO KATIE STRATMAN, USA TODAY SPORTS VIA REUTERS CON
Iga Swiatek
In the last set, it was Gauff who broke to lead 4 games to 3 then 5 to 3 on his serve by multiplying the high balls to hinder his opponent.
The American, however, was nervous until the end with in particular a double fault while serving for the match, also letting slip two match points, before prevailing on an unforced error from the Pole.
It’s the second time in a week that Swiatek, 22, has lost in the semifinals after losing to another American, Jessica Pegula, in Montreal.
Gauff, 19 and 5e world player, won her first match against the world N.1 in eight games and will face in the final the winner of the match between Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, 2e world, to the Czech Karolína Muchová (17e).
