Coco Gauff has been on a roll of late. She has carried over her incredible form from Cincinnati to the US Open, aiming to win her maiden Grand Slam. The teen staged a remarkable comeback against Elise Mertens in the third round, and the inspiration behind her success was none other than Justin Bieber.
Gauff struggled a fair bit in the opening set against Mertens. However, the teen dug deep and fought back to win the next one. Popstar Justin Bieber was the motivating force for Coco.
Gauff recalled the moment she saw Justin on the jumbotron, with his wife Hailey Bieber. The couple were joined by NBA star Jimmy Butler, who made waves with his appearance as a ballboy before the Slam commenced. Not only was Coco starstruck, but she now had an added incentive to bring out her best game.
Justin Bieber.
Hailey Bieber.
Jimmy Butler.
Everyone is here at this Coco Gauff & Elise Mertens US Open match.
Anyone else hiding somewhere? 😂
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 2, 2023
Bieber‘s presence spurred on Coco, who played some of her best tennis in recent times. During the post-match interview, Gauff revealed she did not want to lose in front of the megastar. As a matter of fact, Gauff did not lose a game thereafter.
Coco also spoke of the moment she noticed the Biebers on the big screen. “I don’t know if the camera saw me looking up. I hoped if I lost the match, they weren’t going to blame it on that,” said Coco (via WTA).
Coco Gauff says she couldn’t lose in front of Justin Bieber:
“I was like ‘I can’t lose in front of Justin Bieber!’ I didn’t lose a game after I saw him.” 😂
I know a Belieber when I see one.
(via ESPN) pic.twitter.com/C7jjjMXjIY
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 2, 2023
Besides Justin Bieber, Gauff found inspiration from another megastar- Beyonce. Gauff gave a little insight into what goes on in her mind during a match. “I was thinking about the Renaissance Tour during my match,” Gauff said.
Coco Gauff was thinking about Beyoncé during her US Open match:
“I was thinking about the Renaissance Tour during my match. I think about a lot of different things. Honestly it keeps me relaxed. I don’t know if it’s a coping mechanism. I thought about Marvel & the Biebers.” 😂 pic.twitter.com/64uNV0TQWe
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 2, 2023
Coco Gauff has been phenomenal in the North American hardcourt swing so far. She won two titles in the lead-up to the US Open, one of them being a WTA1000 title in Cincinnati.
How did Coco Gauff stage a comeback in the match?
Elise Mertens put Gauff on the back foot in the first set. She troubled the teenager greatly by varying the pace of her shots, which frustrated the crowd favorite. Mertens also managed to keep a noisy crowd, quiet.
However, Gauff managed to break early in the second set and found her rhythm just in time, winning 10 games on the trot. The last set was a one-sided affair, and Gauff clinched the set by serving Mertens a bagel.
Coco Gauff will face Caroline Wozniacki in the Round of 16 next. Wozniacki is making a return to tennis after retiring three years ago.
The Dane has been in dazzling form at the US Open so far, defeating Petra Kvitova on the way. Their match will be one to watch out for on Sunday.
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