Did Coco Gauff Overcome Madison Keys to Reach the French Open Semifinals?

Paris, June 4 (NationPress) Second seed Coco Gauff faced early racquet tension, scoreboard pressure, and a tough challenge from fellow American Madison Keys to secure her spot in the semifinals of the 2025 French Open at the Stade Roland Garros.

The No. 2 seed fought back from a set down to triumph 6-7(6), 6-4, 6-1 over 2 hours and 11 minutes on Court Philippe-Chatrier, bringing an end to Keys’ remarkable 11-match Grand Slam winning streak.

With the roof closed due to the cooler weather, Gauff strategically lowered her racquet tension, a decision she later questioned. “I changed [the tension] at 4-1, and after that, I had chances to win the first set,” Gauff commented during her on-court interview with Mats Wilander. “It’s difficult to find the tension and how you want to play... I thought with the roof closed it would play slower, which it did in some moments, but I felt it was quick too. Also, I was playing Madison, so I don’t know if that was the reason why!”

After a series of early unforced errors that saw her down a double break, Gauff mentally and technically adjusted. She fought back to lead 5-4 and even held a set point, but Keys saved it with a forehand winner. The seventh seed then took advantage of three double faults from Gauff in the tiebreak to gain an edge.

However, Gauff, a 2022 finalist in Paris, demonstrated her resilience. She took a 4-1 lead in the second set, only for Keys to come roaring back to level things at 4-all. At that pivotal moment, Gauff delivered her shot of the day—a stunning angled backhand passing shot off a Keys smash—allowing her to break serve again and secure the set.

From that point, the match was clearly in Gauff’s control. With her groundstrokes finely tuned and her tactics sharp, she dominated the third set, winning 17 of the last 22 points. Her frequent drop shots and improved movement left Keys scrambling for answers.

Statistically, it wasn't the cleanest match—Gauff finished with 15 winners and 41 unforced errors, while Keys tallied 25 winners but an alarming 60 unforced errors. Yet it was the 21-year-old who maintained her composure when it counted. In the final set, Gauff committed just two unforced errors, while Keys made 16.

With this victory, Gauff ties her head-to-head with Keys at 3-3 and becomes the youngest player since Martina Hingis in 2000 to achieve 25 career wins at Roland Garros, marking her fifth career Grand Slam semifinal, three of which have been in Paris.

Next, Gauff will compete against either No. 6 seed Mirra Andreeva or French wildcard Lois Boisson as she aims for her second final on the red clay of Paris.