AUCKLAND, New Zealand — U.S. Open champion Coco Gauff moved into the semifinals of the Auckland Tennis Traditional on Friday with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Varvara Gracheva of France on a wet quarterfinals day.
The highest-seeded participant and defending champion wanted solely 24 minutes to win the primary set and took the match in 52 minutes. Gauff hasn’t dropped a set on the match and didn’t drop a set in profitable the match final 12 months.
Rain delayed the beginning of the match and was threatening on the finish. However Gauff rushed to victory with darkish clouds gathering, sending down 5 aces.
“I believed I served rather well, most likely the very best to date at this match which is one thing I used to be actually engaged on within the low season.,” Gauff stated. “Final 12 months there was much more rain so I used to be glad I used to be capable of end my match.”
Gauff will play fellow American Emma Navarro within the semifinals. The fourth-seeded Navarro beat Petra Martic of France 6-4, 4-3.
Navarro misplaced to Martic 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 when the pair met in Cincinnati in August. She turned the tables Friday with an authoritative show, placing 80% of first serves in play and attacking Martic, notably on her second serve.
“Tennis all the time retains us on our toes so that you’ve acquired to be prepared for issues like rain delays,” Navarro stated. I used to be proud of my efficiency at the moment, performed my most snug tennis out right here.”
Navarro rushed to a 4-0 lead within the second set earlier than Martic claimed a service break and the match went with serve till Navarro took the match on her third match level.
