‘Walked the last mile’ – Coco Gauff’s hotel trek paves way for landmark meeting in one-sided Iga Swiatek rivalry
Coco Gauff is finding her feet on the clay courts of Madrid – and the streets of the Spanish capital as well. The American reached the last four of the Madrid Open for the first time with victory over Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva to set up a meeting with familiar adversary Iga Swiatek on Thursday. GettyCoco Gauff is through to her first WTA semifinal of the season[/caption] GettyGauff raced through the second set after saving set points in the first[/caption] Gauff is chasing her first final in Madrid, her first clay court singles final since 2022 – when she was beaten by Swiatek in the French Open final – and her first singles clay court title since Rome in 2011. The 21-year-old has not reached a final since she won the WTA Finals in 2024, but a return to form in Madrid has seen her reach the last four of a tournament for the first time this season. It is a run that could yield more than just the title and asked to rate her performance out of 10, the American was in positive mood. “Probably a nine,” she said in her on court interview – although her experiences during Monday’s power cut took centre stage. On Monday, Gauff’s on-court interview was plunged into silence when the power cuts across Spain and Portugal abandoned play for the day. “I was stuck here! The traffic lights weren’t working and the transportation were telling us it wasn’t safe. “Once the police got on the road to direct traffic it took two hours to go four miles and then we got out and walked the last mile. “The day went pretty fast between waiting here, spending the day in the dark and then around 9pm the power came on – but then it was time to turn off the lights and go to sleep.” Thanks to Jessica Pegula’s defeat in the third round, Gauff could overtake her former doubles partner as the American No 1 if she reaches the final. However Swiatek’s run to the last four means Gauff’s hopes of returning to World No 2 are on hold – for now – but should she lift the title at the weekend it would be her first singles title on clay since 2021. GettyAndreeva has enjoyed a stunning year picking up her first career titles[/caption] Teenage star Andreeva has enjoyed a record-breaking year and the early signs were of a hard-fought contest but Gauff eventually ran away with the second set for a 7-5 6-1 victory. “I played really well today and I was able to stay composed when facing set points, and I was really happy. “I had a tough match in the first round and even though it was tough it prepped me and hopefully I can keep going all the way to the end.” The pair had met twice in 2023, at the French Open and US Open, when Gauff was victorious, but Andreeva – who turned 18 on Tuesday – is a different proposition this year after titles in Dubai and Indian Wells. Gauff was broken in the opening game of the match, but hit back immediately in an epic second game that set the tone for the rest of the first set. Eventually, after an hour and 3 minutes, Gauff saved set points and wrestled control by winning the last three games and 13 of the last 15 points to take the first set 7-5. Swiatek will provide the opposition for Gauff, who has improved against the Pole by winning their last two meetings, but she remains a nemesis particularly on clay. Gauff lost her first seven matches to Swiatek, starting back in 2021, but won their last meeting at the United Cup earlier this year and beat her on the way to the WTA Finals title last year. However Swiatek is a formidable opponent on the clay courts, winning on all five occasions the pair have met on the red dirt. Swiatek is a four-time French Open champion, winning at Roland Garros for the last three years and on every occasion during that run she has beaten Gauff on route to the final. AFPThe American will face clay court specialist Iga Swiatek for a place in the final[/caption] This year the 23-year-old has not been as dominant as last year and like Gauff is yet to win a title in 2025. Victory in Paris last year secured her fourth French Open title but she has not been at her best, although the return to clay looks to have kickstarted her year. Swiatek was a winner in three sets over Australian Open champion Madison Keys to reach the last four and will hope another meeting with Gauff can yield the same result as last year. A stunning 19-match winning featured two wins over the American and took her to successive titles in Madrid, Rome, Paris – but Gauff will have her own ideas.
Coco Gauff is finding her feet on the clay courts of Madrid – and the streets of the Spanish capital as well.
The American reached the last four of the Madrid Open for the first time with victory over Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva to set up a meeting with familiar adversary Iga Swiatek on Thursday.
Gauff is chasing her first final in Madrid, her first clay court singles final since 2022 – when she was beaten by Swiatek in the French Open final – and her first singles clay court title since Rome in 2011.
The 21-year-old has not reached a final since she won the WTA Finals in 2024, but a return to form in Madrid has seen her reach the last four of a tournament for the first time this season.
It is a run that could yield more than just the title and asked to rate her performance out of 10, the American was in positive mood.
“Probably a nine,” she said in her on court interview – although her experiences during Monday’s power cut took centre stage.
On Monday, Gauff’s on-court interview was plunged into silence when the power cuts across Spain and Portugal abandoned play for the day.
“I was stuck here! The traffic lights weren’t working and the transportation were telling us it wasn’t safe.
“Once the police got on the road to direct traffic it took two hours to go four miles and then we got out and walked the last mile.
“The day went pretty fast between waiting here, spending the day in the dark and then around 9pm the power came on – but then it was time to turn off the lights and go to sleep.”
Thanks to Jessica Pegula’s defeat in the third round, Gauff could overtake her former doubles partner as the American No 1 if she reaches the final.
However Swiatek’s run to the last four means Gauff’s hopes of returning to World No 2 are on hold – for now – but should she lift the title at the weekend it would be her first singles title on clay since 2021.
Teenage star Andreeva has enjoyed a record-breaking year and the early signs were of a hard-fought contest but Gauff eventually ran away with the second set for a 7-5 6-1 victory.
“I played really well today and I was able to stay composed when facing set points, and I was really happy.
“I had a tough match in the first round and even though it was tough it prepped me and hopefully I can keep going all the way to the end.”
The pair had met twice in 2023, at the French Open and US Open, when Gauff was victorious, but Andreeva – who turned 18 on Tuesday – is a different proposition this year after titles in Dubai and Indian Wells.
Gauff was broken in the opening game of the match, but hit back immediately in an epic second game that set the tone for the rest of the first set.
Eventually, after an hour and 3 minutes, Gauff saved set points and wrestled control by winning the last three games and 13 of the last 15 points to take the first set 7-5.
Swiatek will provide the opposition for Gauff, who has improved against the Pole by winning their last two meetings, but she remains a nemesis particularly on clay.
Gauff lost her first seven matches to Swiatek, starting back in 2021, but won their last meeting at the United Cup earlier this year and beat her on the way to the WTA Finals title last year.
However Swiatek is a formidable opponent on the clay courts, winning on all five occasions the pair have met on the red dirt.
Swiatek is a four-time French Open champion, winning at Roland Garros for the last three years and on every occasion during that run she has beaten Gauff on route to the final.
This year the 23-year-old has not been as dominant as last year and like Gauff is yet to win a title in 2025.
Victory in Paris last year secured her fourth French Open title but she has not been at her best, although the return to clay looks to have kickstarted her year.
Swiatek was a winner in three sets over Australian Open champion Madison Keys to reach the last four and will hope another meeting with Gauff can yield the same result as last year.
A stunning 19-match winning featured two wins over the American and took her to successive titles in Madrid, Rome, Paris – but Gauff will have her own ideas.
