Coco Gauff reaches Australian Open semifinals after surviving Marta Kostyuk test

Coco Gauff wins a tough match against Marta Kostyuk in the Australian Open, reaching the semi-finals for the first time.

Coco Gauff, the U.S. Open champion, faced a challenging match against Ukrainian world number 37 Marta Kostyuk at the Australian Open on January 23. Despite a tough and lengthy battle, Gauff emerged victorious with a 7-6(6) 6-7(3) 6-2 win, securing her spot in the semi-finals for the first time.

As the fourth-seeded American, Gauff displayed resilience and determination throughout the match, living up to her coach Brad Gilbert's famous maxim of "Winning Ugly." Despite a less than stellar performance, she managed to outlast her opponent in scorching conditions at the Rod Laver Arena, showcasing her ability to adapt and overcome challenges.

Gauff, who was competing in her final Grand Slam as a teenager, entered the match on a nine-match winning streak, following her major success in New York last year. However, Kostyuk proved to be a formidable opponent, taking an early lead and putting pressure on Gauff from the start.

Despite facing a 5-1 deficit in the opening set, Gauff demonstrated her problem-solving skills and fought her way back into the match, eventually serving for the set herself. Kostyuk, on the other hand, showed signs of wavering confidence but managed to force a tiebreak, capitalizing on Gauff's mistakes.

After a hard-fought battle, Gauff claimed the first set and continued to trade breaks with Kostyuk in the second set. Despite facing setbacks, she maintained her composure and managed to serve for the match at 5-3. However, Kostyuk rallied back, ultimately leveling the match at one-set all.

In the third set, Gauff made strategic adjustments to her game, increasing the pace of her serves and backhand, which proved effective as Kostyuk began to tire. Despite facing challenges when serving for the match, Gauff persevered and secured her spot in the semi-finals.

Looking ahead, Gauff is set to face either Aryna Sabalenka or Barbora Krejcikova in the semi-finals, setting the stage for an exciting rematch of last year's Flushing Meadows final.

Overall, Gauff's hard-fought victory against Kostyuk exemplifies her tenacity and resilience on the court, solidifying her position as a rising star in the world of tennis. As she continues to make her mark on the sport, fans can expect to witness more thrilling performances from the young American phenom.

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