The pressure is on Coco Gauff at the US Open but the teenage star is keeping things light by poking fun at one of her fellow American competitors.
Coco Gauff took a leaf out of Carlos Alcaraz’s book after she advanced to the quarterfinals stage of the US Open for the second consecutive year.
The 19-year-old was pitted against former world No 1 Caroline Wozniacki in the Round of 16 and had to overcome an early break of serve and losing the second set before she eventually prevailed 6-3, 3-6, 6-1.
Gauff is one of several Americans to have reached the business end of the tournament, with Frances Tiafoe, Ben Shelton, Maddison Keys and doubles partner Jessica Pegula all still in contention heading into the second week.
Shelton eliminated another US star, Tommy Paul, in the Round of 16 after eventually seeing off his compatriot 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.
Speaking in a press conference after her own success, Gauff shared her excitement over strong US representation in the latter stages.
She said: “It’s really great. I mean, I was so happy. Obviously, I know Tommy really well, too. But I was really happy for Ben’s win. Especially they played each other in Australia, so it’s nice to just see the competitiveness between the countrymen and us all doing well.”