Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, and Madison Keys are all in the third round of the French Open. This accomplishment is a historic time for American tennis! Gauff, only 19 years old, defeated Czech Republic player Tereza Valentová 6-2, 6-4 to be crowned Friday’s champion. So this victory really is incredible on all accounts! Gauff has now become the youngest player in 17 years to reach the third round of the French Open for five straight years.
It was a tough match against Valentová for Gauff, who said she knew she was in for a battle. “I think overall it was fine. I felt like I should have attacked more, especially in the end of that second set,” she announced. This was a huge missed opportunity for me to assert control. Gauff praised her opponent, noting, “She’s obviously a great young player. I knew it was going to be a tough match today.”
Jessica Pegula quickly followed up her amazing achievement, beating Ann Li 6-3, 7-6 in a great match of her own. Pegula’s win was most notably punctuated by a dominant tiebreak in the second set, which she clinched on a backhand deep. Fighting off a pair of break points throughout the course of the match, Pegula never wavered and secured her 30th match-win of the season.
“It was a very physical match out on the court today,” said Pegula, looking back on what turned out to be an incredibly grueling affair. I thought it was a very physical battle, a lot of physical match, a lot of long points, long games. I’m definitely glad I was able to kind of hold on to that second set there for sure. Her recent record is nothing short of astounding, having won 12 of her last 14 consecutive matches.
Madison Keys started the night off on the right foot with a powerful display against Katie Boulter, prevailing handily with a score of 6-1, 6-3. This victory extends Keys’ win streak to nine straight Grand Slam match victories. She is now the oldest woman to achieve such an incredible streak since Angelique Kerber in 2018. Keys will meet Sofia Kenin in the next round.
As the tournament continues through its final stages, each player has an opportunity to further their successes already. Together, Gauff, Pegula, and Keys project a bright future for American tennis on the global stage.
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