Coco Gauff is through to the semi-finals of the 2023
Cincinnati Open after dealing with Jasmine Paolini in a 6-3, 6-2 win on Friday evening.
Gauff who faced Paolini instead of Elena Rybakina with the latter withdrawing retired last night continued her superb consistency after winning the DC Open recently and linking up with new coaches Pere Riba and Brad Gilbert.
Wins over Mayar Sherif, Linda Noskova and now Paolini mean a simple route compared to most through, but it is finding your way through that is always the hardest part when the run is slightly easier.
This win was also despite Gauff not playing at her best. She landed under 60% of her first serves and committed 24 unforced errors to 13 winners but still prevailed over the Italian.
But a familiar foe awaits in the next round and one she has now played in all four semi-finals/finals above WTA 500 level. That being Iga Swiatek with the same result every single time. But can she turn the tables?
In their seven meetings, fourteen sets lost, one tie-break, two bagels and two breadsticks (6-0 and 6-1).
Given the World Number One's perchance for going off the boil in the opening set, it could be her only chance to stake a claim against a player who other than that has been clinical.
Elsewhere, Karolina Muchova is also through and awaiting her opponent. She was 3-0 up against Marie Bouzkova who saw off Jessica Pegula, but in yet another retirement, it was her compatriot who benefitted and now the Roland Garros finalist joins Swiatek and Gauff.