Former champ Gauff holds off Jovic to reach US Open quarter‑finals

Coco Gauff, the fourth-seeded player heading into the US Open, secured her first quarter-final appearance since winning the title three years ago by defeating rising star Iva Jovic 6-1, 6-4 in 80 minutes. The match was notable as Gauff, 22, faced the 18-year-old Jovic, who managed to challenge her in the second set. Gauff praised Jovic's play, saying she "plays beyond her years."

Gauff's improved serve and ability to rely on various skills to win points gave her confidence, as she has yet to lose a set in New York. After breaking serve in the opening set, Gauff dominated the first set with six straight games. In the second set, Jovic increased the tempo with powerful shots, leading to intense rallies and net exchanges that drew fans' applause.

Gauff finished the match with a surprise serve-and-volley, hitting a volley Jovic couldn't return. Gauff will next face French Open champion and fifth-seeded Mirra Andreeva of Russia in the quarter-finals, having won all five of their prior meetings. Despite her strong record against Andreeva, Gauff acknowledged that most of their matches have been close.

She mentioned that Andreeva, coming off a Grand Slam win, now approaches matches with a different mindset.