Cori Gauff is in the semi-final of a WTA 1000 for the first time in his career this week at Rome. She took advantage of the retirement of her opponent in the quarter-finals, the Australian Ashleigh Barty, hit in the arm and wanting to maximize his chances of winning Roland-Garros from May 30. The 17-year-old American, who will be at least 29th in the world next week and therefore the 31st youngest player in history to join the WTA top 30, will face this Saturday Elina Svitolina or Iga Swiatek for a place in the final.
The Roland-Garros 2021 teaser
Find the Rome painting here
“This is not the way I wanted to win the game”
Asked about the analysis of her match, she replied: “Honestly, I think I played well. There was good intensity in the first set. I was broken twice but the last game I had a lot of opportunities to come back“. On the abandonment ofAshleigh Barty as she was led 4-6, 1-2, she states: “Of course, that’s not the way I wanted to win the game. When she told me she was quitting I was disappointed for her but on top of that it’s not like I get to play world number 1 every day. It is not a good feeling to win this way. I wish her a good recovery and I hope she will be in great shape for Roland-Garros“.
“Victory will go to whoever wants it the most”
When asked what she expects from her next match against Svitolina or Swiatek, she answers : “I played Svitolina in Australia. It was a high quality game, more than the score would suggest. She’s playing really well so I know what to expect, a lot of intensity from the first point to the last. Swiatek has excellent results on clay. She won Roland Garros last year so it will be a tough game. Both are warriors. They perform well in big tournaments so the victory will go to whoever wants it the most. I will try to do my best“.
Youngest players to join WTA Top 30 (for the 1st time) https://t.co/SfttPUFBO9 pic.twitter.com/MvOWKDzbAH
— TennisMyLife (@TennisMyLife68) May 14, 2021
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