Coco Gauff defeats teenage rival Iva Jovic in All-American showdown as the 2023 champion chases more glory at the US Open

Thousands of fans were still streaming up the escalators, along the concourses and to their seats at Arthur Ashe Stadium when the public service announcement was made.

AMEX wanted to offer two fans a free upgrade – a chance to stop their nosebleeds and watch two of tennis’ biggest stars up close.

There was just one problem: just 27 minutes into the fourth round match, Coco Gauff was already racing towards the quarter-finals of the US Open. The No. 4 seed climbed aboard his own American Express, with poor Iva Jovic shrinking by the second in the rearview mirror.

This is all the delicious brawl we’ve been dreaming about. Jovic is only 18 years old, but he is already ranked 14th in the world. Gauff, the 2023 champion and elder stateswoman at the ripe old age of 22, taught a harsh lesson.

After Gauff completed the first set in just half an hour, it looked like this match would be over by the time the happy couple settled into their prized seats.

Instead, Jovic showed the poise and stylish striking that saw her rise to the top 10 in the world just a year after leaving the junior team full-time. She held on to Gauff for another hour before finally losing 6-1 6-4. There is nothing shameful in this – this was her first appearance in the fourth round. This won’t be her last.

Coco Gauff beat teenage rival Iva Jovic at the all-American US Open on Monday.

Jovic, just 18 but already ranked 14th in the world, lost 6-1, 6-4.

Gauff, the 2023 champion and senior stateswoman at 22, will now face Mirra Andreeva.

As for Gauff? The 2023 champion advances to the last eight, where she has a chance to win a second US Open title in four years. But first? Standing in her way is another teenage sensation: Mirra Andreeva, the 19-year-old French Open champion.

“Iva is an incredible player, an incredible talent,” Gauff said. “She’s playing beyond her years and I’ve been in the same position as her so I’m looking forward to many more battles here.” I’m sure we will play many more matches in the future.”

Two years ago, Jovic’s US Open debut ended in the shadow of that vast arena. In the scorching heat on Court 12 in the second round of her match with Ekaterina Alexandrova, the American, then just 16 years old, was defeated not only by her opponent, but also by the elements.

Doctors rushed to court as Jovic burned under the scorching New York sun. They checked her blood pressure and pulse. Early Monday evening, under Arthur Ashe’s bright lights, there was little sign that Jovic would fade again.

She overcame the blocks, winning the first arm wrestles and breaking Gauff at the first opportunity.

However, Jovic was soon in danger of exploding. Gauff won six games in a row in just 30 minutes to win the first set 6-1. The No. 4 seed had one foot in the quarterfinals.

Jovic didn’t break serve until the first game of the second set. It was sealed with a powerful backhand pass, and the girl noted this small mercy by bending at the waist and shaking her fist.

But to keep her US Open dreams alive, Jovic needed to do more than just stop the bleeding. And to her credit, the 18-year-old girl started throwing a few punches herself.

Inside Arthur Ashe, the noise level increased as a tug of war broke out, pulling both players across the court.

Jovic, who turns 19 in December, didn’t win a serve until the first game of the second set.

Gauff is now just three wins away from winning his second US Open title.

Alas, even when Jovic reached this match, Gauff refused to budge. The No. 4 seed put her finger to her ear after winning one titanic rally. She then broke serve. Jovic responded immediately, but Gauff regained the lead and then sealed her place in the quarter-finals..

Jovic ran off the court, but the teenager will soon return to Arthur Ashe. It was a breakthrough year: she reached the fourth round at Wimbledon and the quarterfinals of the Australian Open.

Gauff knows better than anyone how difficult it is to turn teenage promises into major works. Four years separated her historic victory over Venus Williams at Wimbledon and her first major triumph in New York. She was 19 then.

In each of the last two years, Gauff’s hopes of winning another US Open title were dashed in the fourth round. This time she overcame this obstacle. The 22-year-old reached the quarterfinals without losing a single set.

Andreeva, who overtook Anastasia Potapova on Monday, is hoping to break that streak. Not an easy task when Gauff plays like that. As she continues to make history, this victory will make the 22-year-old the youngest American woman to reach three Grand Slam quarterfinals in a calendar year since Serena Williams in 2003.