Coco Gauff’s Stunning Victory Sparks New Era in Women’s Tennis

Coco Gauff is back where her Grand Slam breakthrough began—deep in the clay of Roland-Garros—and the 20-year-old American now stands two wins from a second major final after powering into the French Open 2025 quarter-finals. The World No. 2 dismissed No. 17 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-3, 6-4 on Monday, setting up an all-USA showdown with former US Open finalist Madison Keys on Court Philippe-Chatrier today (Wednesday, 4 June). Keys advanced by ousting No. 8 seed Jessica Pegula in straight sets, teeing up the first American quarter-final meeting here since 2004. Gauff’s Roland-Garros run so far • R1: def. Brenda Fruhvirtova 6-0, 6-2 • R2: def. Clara Burel 7-5, 6-1 • R3: def. Irina-Camelia Begu 6-2, 6-3 • R4: def. Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-3, 6-4 The 2023 US Open champion has dropped only one set all fortnight and leads the tournament in return-games won (57 %). Her heavy topspin forehand is producing an average 2.3 m of net-clearance—ideal for the chilly Parisian evenings—while her first-serve points-won rate sits at a career-high 73 %. Head-to-head with Keys Gauff owns a 3-2 edge over the 30-year-old Keys, though Keys captured their most recent clash in last summer’s Cincinnati semi-final. Both women are former French Open finalists (Keys 2018, Gauff 2022) and share a common coach in Diego Moyano, adding intrigue to the tactical battle. Keys’ flat, penetrating groundstrokes can rush opponents, but Gauff’s superior movement and improved forehand technique—developed during her off-season block with Andre Agassi—should help her absorb that pace. What’s at stake A victory would send Gauff into her third straight Roland-Garros semi-final and guarantee she retains the No. 2 ranking regardless of other results. More importantly, it would keep alive her bid to join Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka as the only active women with multiple Grand Slam titles before turning 22. Match time, TV & streaming • Court Philippe-Chatrier, not before 11:00 a.m. local (5:00 a.m. ET) • Live on Tennis Channel (US), Eurosport (Europe) and Peacock in the United States. • Free radio commentary on BBC 5 Sports Extra for UK listeners. Gauff’s words “I feel comfortable on clay now—I know how to slide, how to build a point,” she told reporters after her fourth-round win. “Madison hits the ball so big, but I’ve practiced with her enough to be ready for that pace.” Keys’ response “That kid keeps me young,” Keys joked, praising Gauff’s speed. “If I serve well and take the first strike, I like my chances.” Why Gauff can go the distance • Best return stats in the draw (57 % games won). • Improved serve placement—averaging 184 km/h out-wide on deuce side. • Proven three-set grit: 9-1 record in deciding sets this season. Bottom line Coco Gauff entered Paris as one of the pre-tournament favorites, and the Floridian prodigy is living up to the billing. Beat Keys today and she could face No. 1 Iga Świątek in a blockbuster semi-final the tennis world has been craving. With momentum, fitness, and a growing clay-court résumé, Gauff’s path to a maiden French Open title—and a double-digit ranking points haul—looks increasingly realistic.