Coco Gauff dream Wimbledon run ended at hands of Halep
World number 7 Simona Halep has reached her fourth Wimbledon quarter final after defeating 15 year old Coco Gauff.
The girl from Atlanta has arguably been the star of the tournament, as she became the youngest person ever to qualify for the main draw. She then went on to defeat idol Venus Williams in the first round, followed by Rybarikova in the second round, and Polona Hercog in the third after saving two match points. However the 27 year old Romanian who won the French Open in 2018 was too much for Coco Gauff today.
In a 6-3 6-3 victory Halep broke the American’s serve in the first game. Three double faults on her own service game however, and a forehand into the net handed the break straight back to the teenager.
Despite being forced to save two break points at 2-2, Halep came into her stride and broke the Coco Gauff a second and third time in the first set, to take it 6-3.
Looking a bit bewildered between the sets, Gauff requested a comfort break and asked for the doctor on court at the next change. She then hit a double fault and weak backhand into net as she fell a break behind straightaway. But like in the Hercog match, the American would not go down without a fight and was soon back at 2-2 after an impressive break and hold of serve.
Simona Halep was a semi finalist at SW19 in 2014 when she lost to Canada’s Bouchard. But Wimbledon, along with the US Open are the only Grand Slams she has not made the final at. Today though she looked determined not to be added to the growing list of players Gauff has stunned at Wimbledon this year, and with some controlled aggressive play she was soon back a break ahead at 5-2.
Gauff may not have been on the winning side of the net today, but she won over many fans this week writing history. Many people predict that we may see a lot of Gauff in the future. She held serve but lost the set 6-3.
Next up for Halep is Zhang Shuai of China who beat another teenager today in Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine. Despite being ranked 43 places lower, Zhang has a 2-1 record over seventh seed Halep.
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