In a captivating encounter at the US Open, third-ranked Coco Gauff was unable to fend off the fierce competition from 27th-ranked Marta Kostyuk, ultimately succumbing to a 3-6 6-4 7-6(6) defeat in a closely-contested battle. This marked Kostyuk’s third consecutive extended victory and her second triumph over a top 10 opponent, following her win against Australian Open runner-up Zheng Qinwen.
Kostyuk’s exceptional performance has secured her a place in the semifinals where she is scheduled to compete against the 2023 Wimbledon champion and Olympic silver medallist, Marketa Vondrousova of Czechia. Vondrousova also showcased her prowess in the quarterfinals by defeating Australian Open winner Aryna Sabalenka in a fiercely-fought match with a score of 3-6 6-3 7-5.
Yet another enthralling semifinal encounter will feature top-ranked and reigning Stuttgart champion Iga Swiatek against 2022 Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina. The quarterfinals saw Swiatek emerge victorious against 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu in a star-studded final eight at the Porsche Grand Prix.
Kostyuk’s impressive performance on the court included 35 winners, as well as a fluctuating match featuring 16 breaks. Despite Gauff winning more points in the match, Kostyuk’s resilience enabled her to secure a thrilling victory.
Looking ahead, the Stuttgart tournament marks the first major red clay court event of the 2024 season, with the WTA 500 taking place indoors. This sets the stage for upcoming events in Madrid and Rome, leading up to Roland-Garros at the end of May. Notably, the Olympic tennis event will return to the red clay surface for the first time since Barcelona 1992, adding to the anticipation and excitement surrounding the upcoming competitions.
The captivating performances and unforeseen results at the US Open have undoubtedly left tennis enthusiasts eagerly anticipating the upcoming matches as the competition intensifies on the grand stage.