Coco Gauff powered past Marty Kostyuk to reach her second semifinal in Cincinnati.
Chris OddoAugust 21, 20262 minute read
Coco Gauff sent a strong message of intent on Friday night in Cincinnati, serving big, playing bold and stepping on the accelerator to zoom past Marta Kostyuk 6-2, 6-2 to reach the semifinals in the Queen City for the second time.
The last time she made it this far in Ohio? 2023, and she went on to win the title in Cincinnati, and the US Open a few weeks later.
Gauff and her vastly improved serve were front and center on the fast-playing hard courts in Cincinnati against one of the best returners in the women’s game this year.
The first serve averaged over 110, and she won 78 percent of her first-serve points. The second serve was also moving, averaging about 95 mph.
It all led to a convincing victory for the 22-year-old American, her fourth in six attempts over the Ukrainian.
Kostyuk had won two of three matches against Gauff, but it was clear early on that Friday night was going to be different. Gauff led 3-0 and 5-1 in the opening set, before closing it out. She also raced ahead to a 4-0 lead in the second set before Kostyuk mounted a mini rally that was not enough.
“She’s someone I have a lot of respect for,” Gauff said on court of Kostyuk. “She’s one of the most talented and athletic players on tour. I just played really well, and I have a lot of respect for her, because I know it wasn’t her best night.”
Gauff broke Kostyuk in six of her eight return games, and won 79 percent of her second-serve return points.
“Just staying aggressive today, [against] someone who can take control of the point very easily, and I was just trying to do my best to defend the balls I needed to, and then be aggressive when I could,” she said.
Gauff will face Sara Bejlek of Czechia in the semifinals on Saturday. Bejlek, 20, backed up her upset of world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka with a victory over Madison Keys on Friday.
“The next match is gonna be tough against Sara,” Gauff said. ”She has had some incredible wins, but I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
