Coco Gauff overcame an opening set blip to defeat Mirra Andreeva 6-7(5) 6-1 6-1 to reach the last 16 at Roland Garros.
Last year’s finalist is into the fourth round at Roland Garros after a dominant last two sets.
The opening set was tough for the American to break through with the talented 16 year-old holding her ground.
However Gauff found the winning formula to secure her place in the last 16 where she faces either Anna Karolina Schmiedlova or Kayla Day.
A confident start was produced by both players as Andreeva found her range early with a couple of powerful backhand winners.
Andreeva’s impressive start was evident as she broke in the fourth game displaying the fearlessness that saw her reach the third round in Madrid.
However Gauff came back strong and remained resilient in sticking to her game-plan, using her own power to counter-punch Andreeva’s game.
Despite having a break lead on two occasions, Gauff’s returning quality was too much for the 16 year-old as the American pulled it back on serve.
After a slow start, Gauff started to find her variety and range as she constructed some effective baseline points against a stubborn Andreeva.
Gauff had the opportunity to serve for the opening set after converting her fourth break point in the ninth game.
The American couldn’t take her chance though as more fearless returning from Andreeva mixed with good all-court intelligence saw her break back for 5-5.
After being unable to convert important break points, Gauff was made to pay for her lack of clinical edge as Andreeva was tactically stronger in the important moments to take the tiebreak 7-5 in a 62 minute set.
The start of the second saw Andreeva carry the momentum but Gauff turned up the intensity on serve as she held both her service games to love.
That gave the American confidence to hit with more margin and really take the match to Andreeva as the 16 year-old couldn’t match Gauff’s overall quality.
Last year’s finalist broke twice in the second set to level the match at one set all as she produced much smarter tennis to nullify Andreeva’s attacking options.
The sixth seed went from strength to strength as she created a break point in every return game dominate the third set as Andreeva showed her mental and physical fatigue.
Gauff broke three times to seal the deciding set and book a place in the second week.
After the match Gauff admitted it was not an easy match but praised Andreeva’s game, “Mirra is super young and she has a big future,” Gauff was quoted by the BBC as saying.
“I remember I was playing here as a 16-year-old. She has a lot to look forward to and you guys will probably see many of the matches between the two of us.
“I knew going in today it was not going to be an easy match and she proved that she belongs where she is and belongs to go even further. I love this court. It’s a packed house today. I notice you come for the third and fifth sets so I’m glad we can make it entertaining for you guys!
“Paris is my favourite city and I was really happy with the crowd today. I wasn’t sure if you guys were going to be cheering for me. You usually do but I know Mirra has a lot of fans but I was pretty impressed that it was quite 50/50 and I think that makes the match even more enjoyable for us to play.”
Gauff will hope to set up a rematch of last year’s final in the quarter-finals against Iga Swiatek.
Before then, the American will take on Anna Karolina Schmiedlova or Kayla Day in the last 16.
