World No. 23 Cori Gauff says she is feeling confident and feeling better and better on the court as she aims to reach her maiden Grand Slam semifinal at the French Open.
On Sunday, Gauff delivered an impressive performance as she defeated Elise Mertens 6-4 6-0 to progress into the French Open quarterfinal.
Gauff, who reached her maiden Grand Slam quarterfinal at Roland Garros last year, hasn’t dropped a set in four matches played at the tournament this year.
“I feel like every match I’m getting better. I think today even though I had some tough moments I was able to tough it out. I really do feel like I’m progressing with each match,” Gauff said after the match, per the WTA website.
“I definitely feel confident on the court. I feel like [clay] really suits my game. The previous tournaments this clay season, I had some good wins but it wasn’t really any outstanding results. I feel like it gave me a lot to learn from, and I think I’m taking those tough matches that I lost this season and really learning from them and I guess showing that I’m doing better.”
Gauff on facing Sloane Stephens
Next up for Gauff is fellow American Sloane Stephens.
Gauff and Stephens will be going head-to-head for the second time when they meet in the French Open quarterfinal.
Stephens clinched a straight-set win when she and Gauff met in the US Open second round last year.
“I think last time I played her I was super nervous going into the match. Not because it was Sloane. Just because we were on Ashe and it was all-American matchup. I think a lot of people expected a lot from me in that match,”Ā Gauff said. “Going in, [I’m] just going to approach it like any other match. I have to go back and watch that match and see what I can learn from it.”