The number one American and World No. 2 stopped a set lapse against her compatriot Marie Bouzkova 6-1, 7-6(3), thus earning a place in the last sixteen of the French Open, Saturday. The 21-year-old American was last year’s semi-finalist in Paris. She came out strongly, attacking from the back of the court and serving picture-perfect.
Gauff broke twice and fired winners with ease to storm to a 3-0 lead. She wrapped up the set in just over 30 minutes, sealing every point on her first serve. However, Bouzkova commenced a spirited comeback in the second set. She scored consecutive breaks and marched towards a 5-3 advantage after Gauff let go of a routine smash.
Yet, Gauff showed great courage. With Bouzkova on two points away from a deciding set, Gauff broke twice herself and then forced a tiebreak, which she dominated from start to finish.
“She was playing well, putting a lot of balls back,” Gauff admitted. “But I’m happy with how I stayed in it.”
The win sees Gauff equal Elina Svitolina for the most clay-court wins this season with 14 and she will be next facing Russian 20th-ranked player Ekaterina Alexandrova for a quarter-final berth.
