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Coco Gauff admits it is “a cool moment” to hear that she has been achieving some of Serena Williams’ US Open feats. Gauff, 19, has become the first American female teenager since Williams in 2001 to reach the US Open semifinal.
Before that feat, Gauff also became the first American player since Williams to reach back-to-back US Open quarterfinals. Gauff, who grew up idolizing Williams, is having a great US Open run and she is now two wins away from becoming a Grand Slam champion.
Gauff: Being in any sentence with Williams is great
“It means a lot to me. I mean, being in any sentence with her is great. I mean, she’s the greatest player of all time. You know, I’m nothing close to that yet.
I’m just really honored to be in the same sentence as her. It’s something that I’m used to a lot. So, you know, I’m not gonna sit here and be like, ‘Oh, I’m shocked’, but I feel like a lot of the stats have aligned with her, and people find new things to think about.
I was the first teenager in the quarters and now semis, so I’m guessing if I win, they’re going to be, like, finals. It’s just going to keep going. Like I said, I never take it for granted. She’s my idol. I think if you told me when I was younger that I would be in these same stat lines as her, I would freak out.
But it is a cool moment to have that stat alongside her,” Gauff said. After beating Jelena Ostapenko 6-0 6-2, Gauff is set to meet Karolina Muchova in the US Open semifinal. When Gauff and Muchova meet at the US Open, it will be their second meeting.
Last month, Gauff defeated Muchova in the Cincinnati final. It remains to be seen if Gauff can beat Muchova again and reach her first US Open final.