Coco Gauff showed why she is one of the toughest players in terms of mentality and pure skill as she pulled off a stunning comeback win against Mirra Andreeva to enter the semi-final stages of the US Open 2026. Gauff won the match 2-6. 7-6, 6-2 to set up a final four clash against the new World No.1 Elena Rybakina.
This is the first time since 2023 that Gauff has reached the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows. It appeared that Andreeva was actually running away with the game when Gauff appeared to be rusty and not even close to the level. The crowd quickly got behind the 4th seed as she battled back into the contest and pushed it to a tiebreak in the second set.
Gauff was able to save two match points before sealing the deal and pushing the match into the decider, where Andreeva’s challenge just withered away. The upcoming US Open semifinals will mark only the second time in the Open Era that all four top seeds have reached the final four. The previous instance came in 1975, when top seed Chris Evert, No. 2 Virginia Wade, No. 3 Martina Navratilova and No. 4 Evonne Goolagong all advanced to the semifinals.
HOW THE MATCH UNFOLDED
Mirra Andreeva looked in complete control for much of the opening set as Coco Gauff endured a nightmare start in their US Open quarterfinal.
The American struggled to find any rhythm, particularly on serve, while her forehand repeatedly let her down. Gauff has spent the past year working to rebuild both aspects of her game, but neither weapon was functioning when she needed them most.
Andreeva, the 19-year-old French Open champion, had also spent much of the summer dealing with the expectations that followed her breakthrough in Paris. Yet in New York, she was handed a perfect opportunity when Gauff’s game suddenly deserted her.
Andreeva raced into a 4-0 lead within just 12 minutes and wrapped up the opening set 6-2 after only 27 minutes. Gauff looked completely out of sorts, with the match appearing to be slipping away rapidly.
The momentum changed dramatically once the second set began. Andreeva’s level dipped, and she started making mistakes that allowed Gauff back into the contest. What followed was a tense battle between two players struggling to take control, with neither willing or able to dictate rallies unless the other forced the issue.
The set eventually went to a tiebreak, where Gauff found herself twice staring at match point. Rather than waiting for Andreeva to make the first move, Gauff opted for an aggressive approach, moving forward and putting the pressure back on her opponent.
Andreeva failed to convert either opportunity. She sent the first match-point lob beyond the baseline before committing another error on the second, allowing Gauff to stay alive.
That proved to be the turning point. Gauff suddenly found another gear while Andreeva’s confidence began to disappear. After completing the comeback in the tiebreak to draw level at one set apiece, Gauff unleashed a huge roar that echoed around the packed home crowd at Flushing Meadows.
Andreeva appeared unable to recover from the collapse.
The signs became even clearer early in the deciding set. Gauff chased down a topspin lob and returned it high and deep, forcing Andreeva to deal with the ball from inside the baseline.
Instead of making a full attempt at the shot, Andreeva barely managed a swing and sent the ball away. She made another error on the very next point before throwing her racket to the ground, with the racket narrowly avoiding a nearby court worker.
The match had already begun slipping away from Andreeva during the tiebreak. By the third set, her composure and confidence appeared to have vanished completely.
Then it was just routine work for Gauff, who put away her opponent easily to set up the clash with the new World No.1.
– Ends
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