Defending champion Coco Gauff staged a thrilling comeback to overcome Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, securing her place in the fourth round of the US Open. The American third seed, determined to become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2014 to successfully defend the title, claimed a hard-fought 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory on Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.

“This win means a lot,” Gauff reflected after the match. “I knew today would be a tough battle. Every time I face Elina, she’s a relentless competitor. I had to bring my best tennis.”

Svitolina struck first, breaking Gauff’s serve in the eighth game, with Gauff’s backhand faltering into the net. The tension in Flushing Meadows was palpable as Gauff voiced her frustration to her team, saying, “I’m missing so much in the net.” The Ukrainian, a three-time Grand Slam semi-finalist, capitalized on her momentum, holding serve to clinch the first set.

In the second set, Gauff’s resilience shone through. She saved a crucial break point and then earned her first break in the sixth game with a stunning cross-court forehand winner. With her confidence soaring and the crowd’s support fueling her, Gauff held her serve to take control of the set. After a Svitolina hold, Gauff closed out the set with a love service game, letting out a roar in front of her home fans.

Gauff carried her momentum into the final set, breaking Svitolina twice to storm ahead 4-1. Although she faced a momentary setback, failing to convert three match points while serving for the match, Gauff eventually sealed the win by breaking Svitolina to love, her victory greeted by an ecstatic crowd.

Gauff will next face fellow American Emma Navarro, who advanced after a 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 win over Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk. Navarro had previously stunned Gauff in the fourth round of Wimbledon this year, setting the stage for an intriguing rematch.

Badosa and Zheng Advance to Fourth Round

In other women’s draw action, Spain’s Paula Badosa saved a match point to rally past Romanian Elena-Gabriela Ruse. The 26th seed, a former world number two, needed a match tie-break to secure her first-ever fourth-round spot at the US Open with a 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (10-8) victory.

Badosa, who has battled a stress fracture in her back this year, expressed her satisfaction with her current form, saying, “It means so much, especially after what I’ve been through. I’m very happy to prove I’m back at the top, where I want to be.”

Badosa will take on Wang Yafan next, after the Chinese player defeated former world number one Victoria Azarenka 6-4, 3-6, 6-1.

Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen also advanced, dropping just three games in a commanding 6-2, 6-1 win over Germany’s Jule Niemeier. Zheng, the seventh seed, continues her quest for a first Grand Slam title and will next face Croatian 24th seed Donna Vekic, who defeated American Peyton Stearns 7-5, 6-4.