Third seed Coco Gauff battled back from a set down to defeat eighth seed Ons Jabeur 4-6 6-2 6-3 and become the first women’s singles semifinalist at the 2024 French Open.
The first set was determined in a thrilling seventh game, when Jabeur managed to make the one and only break of the set, exhibiting some perfect shots, including a high Michael Jordan-style jump to execute a powerful backhand. The Tunisian then didn’t convert two set points on her opponent’s serve, but converted the first one she had in her service game to take the first set 6-4 in 41 minutes.
That @Ons_Jabeur jumping backhand 😮💨#RolandGarrospic.twitter.com/ksnbC2aIIA
— wta (@WTA) June 4, 2024
In the second set, Gauff was the first one to go ahead, 3-1. Even though Jabeur broke back right away, the American took charge once again and won all the remaining games to force a decider.
Playing her fourth quarterfinal at Roland Garros, the 2022 runner-up Gauff continued the momentum into the third set, racing to a 4-1 lead. Serving for victory at 5-3, Gauff faced a break point, but Jabeur wasted it with an unforced error. Despite Jabeur sporadically executing impressive shot-making, Gauff was more consistent and converted her third match point to return to the semifinals in Paris.
Gauff’s semifinal opponent will be the winner of the upcoming quarterfinal between top seed Iga Swiatek and fifth seed Marketa Vondrousova.
