Watch: Coco Gauff's ecstatic celebration after beating Iga Swiatek for the first time in 8 matches
On Saturday, Coco Gauff produced an enthusiastic celebration after beating Iga Swiatek in the semifinals of the 2023 Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati.
Gauff had lost all of her previous seven matches against Swiatek, without taking even a single set. But she managed to defy the odds and beat the World No. 1 7-6(2), 3-6, 6-4 to advance to the Cincinnati final.
The 19-year-old produced some brilliant defense on her third match point, and Swiatek ended up missing a volley to end the match. The win prompted a cheerful celebration from Gauff, who jumped in joy.
The semifinal encounter was the third duel between Swiatek and Gauff in 2023. Swiatek beat the American in the semifinal of the Dubai Open 6-4, 6-2, and then the quarterfinal of the French Open with the same scoreline.
Gauff has won 10 out of her last 11 matches on the WTA tour. She captured her first WTA 500 title in Washington two weeks ago, beating the likes of Belinda Bencic, Ludmila Samsonova and Maria Sakkari.
In Montreal, the 19-year-old dispatched reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova but fell short against eventual champion Jessica Pegula in the quarterfinals.
Prior to defeating Swiatek in Cincinnati, Gauff dispatched Mayar Sherif 6-2, 6-2 in the first round, Linda Noskova 6-4, 6-0 in the second round, and Jasmine Paolini 6-3, 6-2 in the quarterfinals.
Coco Gauff will face Karolina Muchova in the final on Sunday, August 20. The American has never faced Muchova on the WTA tour.
Coco Gauff reveals pep talk that helped her defeat Iga Swiatek in Cincinnati
Coco Gauff's win over Iga Swiatek didn't come without drama, as Swiatek saved two match points in the 10th game of the third set before eventually getting a break point. But Gauff held firm before sealing her first win over the Pole on her third match point.
In her post-match interview, Gauff said she tried to serve as hard as possible to close the match out.
"I tried to serve as hard as I could on the match points. She is No. 1 in the world – you have to focus on your end of the court," she said.
The 19-year-old added that the match was a pivotal moment for her, and the result of her hard work.
"I've been working hard and I guess it's paying off right now. I told myself I can let this crush me or make me rise and I decided to make myself rise. It just shows I can do it," she said.
Gauff also said that the unwavering belief in her own ability propelled her past a formidable opponent like Swiatek.
"I was just saying, 'I'm Coco Gauff and I can do it'. Playing her, you have to give it your all and I felt it from the moment I stepped onto the court, that I wasn't going to lose this match today even when the moments got tough," Gauff stated.