Second set sealed by Coco Gauff!

New York Times

04-06-2025

Follow live French Open quarterfinal scores with Lois Boisson leading Mirra Andreeva on Court Philippe-Chatrier PSNEWZ/SIPA
Coco Gauff (2) has booked her in place in the 2025 French Open semifinals after a three-sets win (6-7, 6-4, 6-1) against Madison Keys (7).
Her opponent will be the winner of the match currently in progress on Court Philippe-Chatrier. French wild card Loïs Boisson is up a set against the 18-year-old phenom Mirra Andreeva (6).
On the men's side, Jannik Sinner (1) is in action against Alexander Bublik before Novak Djokovic (6) vs. Alexander Zverev (3). TV : TNT, truTV, Tennis Channel (U.S.); TNT, Discovery+ (UK)
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Coco Gauff beats Madison Keys to reach French Open semifinals Connections: Sports Edition Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Getty Images
Keys 7-6(6), 4-6, *0-0 Gauff
Serving for the set — a task in this match that appears harder than trying to break for it.
Gauff is staring at 15-30 and makes it a fourth second serve in the game. Keys going long with her return is a real let-off for the No. 2 seed.
Rinse and repeat on the following point for a first set point to Gauff, and she finally fires in a first serve.
That is the platform she needs. She holds and she is level.
Into the deciding set we go. This should be fun… Getty Images
Keys 7-6(6), 4-5* Gauff
So a four-game run for Gauff is broken by a three-game run for Keys. From a double-break up to parity for the seventh seed.
And there is just a sense that this match is starting to cook.
Keys cries in anguish as she slices into the net at 15-30 and Gauff has two more break points — we are up to 22 of them in this match now.
Keys controls the first opportunity but gives Gauff a second serve for the second, and a brilliant swiping forehand seals the deal.
Next up, Gauff serves for the second set. Getty Images
Keys 7-6(6), *4-4 Gauff
A quicker reaction to a slow start from Gauff in this game, getting going at 0-30 this time.
She comes into the net at 15-30 but Keys does really well from the baseline to force the error. That's two break points to get back level in the second set for Keys…
The first is handed back by Keys. The second is masterful from the Australian Open champion.
And just like that, we're back on serve in the second set.
Remarkable — and surely a hugely deflating moment for Gauff.
Playing one of Beck's more wistful piano ballads at the changeover isn't helping the atmosphere. Getty Images
Keys 7-6(6), 3-4* Gauff
As James says, this match is almost flat at the moment. Both players are playing like it and the crowd just feels a little detached.
Hopefully it's just the mid second set lull, which sees a routine hold for Keys to 15 as both players tick another one off for now. Getty Images
The rain is pitter-pattering on the Court Philippe-Chatrier roof as Coco Gauff tries to force a third set against Madison Keys.
Neither player is anywhere close to their top level; Gauff is toughing things out more than Keys in rallies right now, but Keys is benefiting from some loose serving from Gauff at key moments.
The atmosphere is tense inside the stadium, but a bit awkwardly so given the relatively pitiful attendance for a match between America's last two Grand Slam champions. Getty Images
Keys 7-6(6), *2-4 Gauff
What was I saying again? Just a lapse in concentration here from Gauff, who suddenly drops to 0-40 without Keys really having to work hard.
That scoreline does appear to wake up the second-set leader, but only for a couple of points.
Yes, you've guessed it. Another double fault follows and it hands Keys a cheap break back into this set. Getty Images
Keys 7-6(6), 1-4* Gauff
This is much better from Gauff when receiving. She's starting to move Keys around more and even though the Australian Open champion is often getting there, it's a full stretch and in losing points.
A real momentum shift as Gauff converts the first of two break points to got the double break up in this second set — and take us a step closer to a deciding set.
Although nothing in this match so far has gone as you would expect. Getty Images
Keys 7-6(6), *1-3 Gauff
It's hard to consolidate these breaks when you're not serving your best, that is obvious.
Another double fault for Gauff opens the door for Keys and after a couple of deuces, she finally has a look at a first break point of this second set.
Fair play to the No. 2 seed from there. She raises the stakes and Keys goes long, sealing the hold after Gauff had broken her serve in the game beforehand. Getty Images
Such a shame that we aren't quite seeing the best of these two brilliant American players.
It certainly doesn't feel like a Grand Slam quarterfinal so far, and is very much a case of whoever makes the fewest mistakes will win.
There are several levels for both Madison Keys and Coco Gauff to go through before we can class this as their best tennis. Although, with the No. 2 seed leading this second set, they should still have plenty of time left to find it.
Keys 7-6(6), 1-2* Gauff
This is three service games on the spin that Keys has had to deal with 15-30 — and this one gets worse with an error to bring up two more break points for Gauff.
Remember, there were four that went unconverted by Gauff in Keys' previous game.
This time, the second point is enough as Keys goes long on her forehand and Gauff has the advantage in this second set. Getty Images
Keys 7-6(6), *1-1 Gauff
The ding dong continues as Gauff now gets taken to deuce — but she rides the wobbles and a huge, deep serve makes sure there are no regrets early in this second set. Getty Images
Keys 7-6(6), 1-0* Gauff
Now this is some game to get us going in the second set.
With Keys serving, Gauff sees two break points come and go — and then two more when we get into the deuces.
There are four visits in the end, but Keys ups the power and holds in the end.
Seven minutes there that could be a real issue for Gauff if she cannot hold next. Getty Images
Coco Gauff did so well to fight back in that first set but the demons of the early part of the set — her serve — came back to haunt her at key stages in the tiebreak.
Twice she doubled faulted to take her match total to seven and only 53 percent of her first serves have dropped in.
You are always going to struggle to win a Grand Slam quarterfinal with those stats. Getty Images
A quick break for both players after that opening set, which took an hour but at times felt like a lifetime.
If someone can dial in their serve from here, they will soon wrap up this match.
Seven double faults from Coco Gauff in that opening set was painful.
SET 1: Keys 7-6(6) Gauff Points: 43 — 44
43 — 44 Aces: 0 — 0
0 — 0 Double faults: 3 — 7
3 — 7 1st serve %: 68 — 53
68 — 53 Pts won % (1st serve): 66 — 76
66 — 76 Pts won % (2nd serve): 20 — 26
20 — 26 Break pts (won): 4 (3) — (3) 4
4 (3) — (3) 4 Break pts conversion %: 75 — 75
It will be interesting to see how this second set compares to those numbers above. Getty Images
Keys 7-6(6), *0-0 Gauff
A couple of powerful points follow from Keys, who is just showing a bit of rhythm on her service points. Can she translate it on Gauff's serve?
Not if she's getting luck like her dying slice and doubles as a drop shot. A second changeover in the tiebreaker and it's 6-6, 6-6…
Cue ANOTHER Gauff double fault. Oh dear.
And Keys gets it done from there, as Gauff fires wide off the return.
First set, Madison Keys. Getty Images
Keys 6-6 (*5-5) Gauff
It feels like Keys is the differentiating factor here. She is the one floating soft shots into the net and then blazing winners on the next point.
That run gives Gauff the minibreak but the No. 2 seed then throws in another double fault. I guess it had been a while. Getty Images
Keys 6-6 (*2-3) Gauff
A double fault on the opening point of the breaker from Gauff feels fitting. But the minibreak is brief as Gauff rallies, leaving Keys to smile as she looks down at the clay.
These two know everything about each other — and there is no hiding it.
Gauff comes into the net next, but a brilliant forehand pass from Key brings the cheers. Getty Images
Keys 6-6 (0-0*) Gauff
In fairness to both players, they are and continue to go for their shots. The margins are just very fine.
Keys does just that, goes a fraction wide, and soon she's dealing with the repercussions of 15-30.
The encouraging thing now is that Keys is chipping away on the next point in response, and a couple of strong shots following up on her serve take her to 40-30 — before a gutsy rally grinds Gauff down at the baseline.
Into a tiebreak we head!