In a gripping all-American showdown at the 2025 French Open, Coco Gauff battled past Madison Keys in a rollercoaster quarter-final match on June 4, securing her place in the Roland Garros semi-finals with a 6-7(6), 6-4, 6-1 victory. The clash on Court Philippe-Chatrier, played under a closed roof due to chilly Parisian weather, was a test of resilience for both players, marked by 101 combined unforced errors and 14 breaks of serve. Despite the scrappy nature of the match, Gauff emerged triumphant, leveraging her relentless athleticism to outlast the Australian Open champion. Post-match, the world number two paid tribute to Keys’ formidable forehand, calling it “probably one of the best, if not the best, on tour,” while reflecting on the tactical adjustments that secured her third Roland Garros semi-final appearance.
The match was a tale of momentum swings and missed opportunities. Keys, the seventh seed, brought her aggressive baseline game to the fore in the first set, capitalizing on Gauff’s early serving woes to claim a tightly contested tiebreak 8-6. Her forehand, a weapon that powered her to the 2025 Australian Open title, was both a blessing and a curse, producing winners but also racking up 60 unforced errors, many from that side. “She’s hitting the ball so fast and so low,” Gauff said, acknowledging the challenge of facing Keys’ powerful inside-out and outside-in forehands. “I knew I had to run today and as soon as the ball came short, I had to punish her for it.” Gauff’s strategy to extend rallies and exploit Keys’ errors paid dividends, particularly in the third set, where she dominated with a 71% first-serve win rate and three breaks of serve.
Gauff’s path to the quarter-finals had been serene, with straight-set wins over Olivia Gadecki, Tereza Valentova, Marie Bouzkova, and Ekaterina Alexandrova. Yet, against Keys, she faced her toughest test yet, dropping her first set of the tournament. The second set saw Gauff squander a 4-1 lead, only to regroup and break Keys at 5-4 with a deep cross-court forehand of her own. “I changed something at 4-1,” Gauff revealed, noting that she adjusted her racket string tension mid-match to adapt to the slower conditions under the roof. This tactical shift, combined with her relentless court coverage, allowed her to regain control, especially in the decider, where Keys’ errors mounted, and Gauff raced to a 5-1 lead before sealing the match with a steady rally that ended with Keys’ forehand sailing long.
The victory marked Gauff’s third win in six career meetings with Keys, and her first against the 30-year-old on clay, snapping Keys’ two-match winning streak against her, including a 2024 Madrid Open triumph. “It wasn’t an easy match, and I’m very happy to get through it,” said Gauff, who became the youngest player since Venus Williams in 2001 to reach five consecutive quarter-finals at a single Grand Slam. Her 24-5 career record at Roland Garros, bolstered by a 2022 final appearance and a 2024 doubles title with Katerina Siniakova, underscores her clay-court prowess. Keys, meanwhile, was left ruing her forehand’s inconsistency, which one observer noted was “missing by meters” despite its potential to dominate.
Gauff’s ability to stay composed under pressure was key. Facing a player known for her calm in clutch moments, Gauff leaned on her fitness, a hallmark of her game. “It means a lot, getting through this tough match,” she said, savoring her return to the semi-finals. She now faces either Mirra Andreeva or French wildcard Loïs Boisson, with a potential final against Iga Swiatek or Aryna Sabalenka looming. As Gauff continues her quest for a maiden French Open title, her respect for Keys’ game was evident. “She’s obviously a very great player,” Gauff said, highlighting the challenge of countering Keys’ forehand, which, when on, can shift the momentum of any match. For now, Gauff’s blend of grit and adaptability keeps her dream alive on the Parisian clay.
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