This month, Coco Gauff traveled to New York with a lot of unwanted baggage. Her summer had begun quite nicely, but it had quickly soured due to a string of demoralizing defeats in big competitions. The American came to the US Open this year still looking for her best performance, a far cry from the conditions that crowned the finest run of her life last year when she won her first grand slam title.

After a challenging start, Gauff turned to her fortitude and problem-solving skills to overcome a set disadvantage and advance to the fourth round with a commanding 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory over Elina Svitolina in front of a boisterous Arthur Ashe Stadium. It has great significance. I thought this would be a difficult fight because Elina is a fighter, Gauff remarked. “I felt I played well, and I knew I had to give it my all in the tennis game. Except for the final service game, I served considerably better than I did in the previous match, and overall, I was pleased with my performance.

Even though Gauff had cruised to this point with two effective performances, this match was always going to be the true litmus test for her ability to defend the title. Svitolina’s defense, perseverance, and grit have helped her to a fantastic career. Because of her consistently high baseline, defeating her typically requires an exceptional performance.

Svitolina, 30, has attempted to play more aggressive tennis since joining the tour again in September after giving birth to her daughter Skai. Previously, she relied on her steadiness and the hope that her opponents would make a mistake. She came into this game intending to seize the lead. She controlled most of the groundstrokes, particularly with her forehand, and she was always trying to break down the Gauff forehand.

Gauff served well at first, but she eventually got lost. The Ukrainian persisted in taking the ball quickly and applying a lot of pressure, especially on Gauff, who had trouble with her reliable backhand. At 2-2 in the set, she was down to a break point and in danger of losing badly. The 20-year-old from Atlanta, Georgia maintained her composure and skillfully handled the most crucial situations, even though it appeared like the match was slipping away from her. By pushing herself inside the baseline and forcing Svitolina to make a backhand error with a strong inside-out forehand, Gauff prevented the break point and finished an outstanding hold.

Getting through that tough match gave the world number three the boost she’d been looking for all afternoon. In the next game, she fired four winners in a row, including two forehands, to break serve in a magnificent return game. She never looked back after that. Gauff came back from a 2-2 deficit and a break point deficit in the second set to win nine of the next eleven games and secure a crucial victory.

The way Gauff got through was especially encouraging for her chances of making another long run. She knows that she must take the initiative herself, but her defense, physicality, and ability to win even when she is not playing well are all traits that have helped her succeed at an early age. It was crucial that she served well, had the assurance and ability to cross the baseline, and attacked with both groundstrokes during these pivotal moments.
Less than an hour after pumping her fists and letting out a triumphant roar to celebrate her victory, Gauff was back on the practice courts, hard at work strengthening her backhand with one eye already fixed on the next challenge.

Gauff said to Sky Sports, “I’m just trying to go out here and have fun.” “I’ve already won one, so even after the fourth round, there’s still a long way to go.”

“I’m just enjoying the match in front of me and keeping my attention on it.” I don’t want to depart with any regrets, I wrote in my journal. I was just trying to give myself the best chance to win, regardless of the outcome.

Gauff’s next opponent is her rapidly improving countrywoman Emma Navarro, the 13th seed, who beat her in the Wimbledon last-round match earlier this month. After defeating 19th seed Marta Kostyuk 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, Navarro advanced to the New York fourth round. In other news, seventh-seeded Zheng Qinwen, the Olympic champion, easily defeated Jule Niemeier 6-2, 6-1 to extend her winning streak.