American tennis star Coco Gauff has secured a place in the semi-final of Roland Garros at the expense of her compatriot Sloane Stephens. Gauff, who was only 18 years old, beat Stephens, eleven years his senior, with 7-5 6-2.
It is the first time that Gauff has managed to qualify for the semifinals of a grand slam tournament. Last year she made the last eight at Roland Garros and then lost to Czech Barbora Krejcikova, who eventually won the tournament.
“I am so happy that it has now worked. Last year’s race made me a lot stronger,” said Gauff. “I believe in myself. Last year I was too busy living up to expectations and now I’m trying to enjoy it a bit more. How well you perform or how much you earn doesn’t determine how much appreciation you get.”
Gauff, seeded eighteen, will face Italy’s Martina Trevisan for a place in the final, who defeated Canadian Leylah Fernandez in three sets earlier in the day.
Gauff already had her breakthrough at Wimbledon in 2019 by reaching the fourth round as a 15-year-old.