Coco Gauff’s Victory over Ons Jabeur Propels Her to Ronald Garros 2024 Semifinals
Coco Gauff and Ons Jabeur showcased exceptional skill and determination in the high-stakes quarterfinal clash at Roland Garros, despite an early 11:00 A.M. start time that raised eyebrows.
Let’s delve into the dynamics of this captivating match where Gauff emerged victorious after a spirited battle.
With her quarterfinal comeback victory, the American gained additional experience in patience and aggressiveness.
“It appears that his victories should be worth two points.” As he saw the brazen basher play in a Wimbledon final, a tennis writer from the 1970s remarked this about Jimmy Connors. It was both a compliment and a warning: Jimbo’s backhands at full speed were exciting but dangerous. Maybe sadly, there’s no extra credit awarded for elegance in tennis.
I remembered that writer’s line on Tuesday while watching Ons Jabeur take on Coco Gauff in the Roland Garros quarterfinals. Jabeur hit incredible strokes in a variety of ways and from a variety of positions over the opening set and a half and the final few games. Drops from crosscourt that came to rest one inch from the net. Forehand leaps slammed into the furthest corner. Lob volleys that landed slightly within the boundary.
Gauff enjoys running, but it’s unlikely that she like the multiple afternoon trips from baseline to net and back. Jabeur pressured Gauff into 30 missed shots while hitting 30 winners. As one of the pundits put it, “She is really playing the absolute limits of the court,” Chris Bowers stated.
But Jabeur needed those victories to count for two points apiece in order to win the match. She also committed 38 mistakes, many of which appeared to follow moments of inspiration. An example would be Jabeur, who in the third set, with Gauff serving at 5-3, prevented a match point by hitting not one, but two flawless drop shots in a row. Then, with her cheering section in full swing and her confidence from the previous point, she added a little additional whip to her slicing forehand return at deuce and sent it straight into the net.
This time, Bowers responded differently, asking, “What was that?” After a Jabeur smash went wide a minute or so later, Gauff moved to the semifinals as a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 winner. Jabeur remarked, “It was really frustrating that I missed a couple of moments.”
For Gauff, it was just another lesson in opportunism, aggression, and patience. This frustrated Jabeur. The American was outplayed in the first eight games. However, she didn’t give up and let Jabeur off the hook when she served at 3-5 and lost that game. Gauff persevered, held, and saved two set points. Although it didn’t win her the set, it did extend the play and provide Jabeur more time to calm down.
Gauff was prepared when Jabeur finally cooled down, early in the second set. Jabeur served at 1-2 and missed a simple backhand at 40-15. Gauff immediately responded with a winner on the backhand, a forceful forehand to gain a break point, and another baseline attack to break. She had a 3-1 lead and was not going to trail.
Jabeur remarked, “I felt like she flew away with the set and took the advantage.” Gauff remarked, “She was playing really well the entire match.” “I’m not used to her hitting a lot of winners against anyone,” the player said. I therefore tried to be assertive.
Also Read: Iga Swiatek’s Dominating Victory at Roland Garros 2024, Advances to Semifinals Against Coco Gauff
Specifically on the forehand side, Gauff increased her aggression. She had just one winner from that wing in the opening set, but in the next two she had seven. She did not have the same flare as Jabeur, but she did force 38 mistakes from the Tunisian. In the decisive game, Gauff relied on her serve to save a break point when Jabeur made her late run. Her serve and forehand shots are gradually starting to work in her favor rather than against her.
Jabeur remarked, “My favorite thing about Coco is her fighting spirit.” “She’s very intelligent on the court and always looks for ways to improve.”
Jabeur was not as happy with this match’s 11:00 start time. She remarked, “I would have loved a quarterfinal at night, not at 11:00 A.M.” It doesn’t make sense to me. You go to the quarterfinals, but they say you have to play at 11:00.
This was an intriguing battle that deserved better, played as forcefully as possible during points and at a quick rate in between. However, neither Jabeur nor Gauff’s fans let the early hour stop them from being loud. As the two groups alternated to cheer on their players, Chatrier took on the feel of a team sport.
“I could tell you were rooting for her to win,” a smiling Gauff stated to the crowd. “I enjoy playing in these kinds of settings. I had a great time, actually. Win or lose, this is just a ton of fun.
Even though Jabeur produced more highlights in the end, Gauff emerged victorious. Although her shots didn’t appear to be worth two points, she was aware that they didn’t have to.
