American tennis star Coco Gauff wrapped up a strong performance at the 2026 US Open, reaching her seventh career Grand Slam semifinal before falling to Elena Rybakina in a competitive three-set match in Flushing Meadows. Gauff captured the opening set 6-3 before Rybakina rallied to take the next two sets 6-4, 6-4 on September 10, 2026. Despite the defeat, the 22-year-old expressed pride in the overall direction of her game and the adjustments she has implemented over recent months.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Gauff emphasized that she felt in control of her play throughout most of the tournament. The former US Open champion noted that while her quarterfinal win against Mirra Andreeva saw some old habits briefly return, she quickly made tactical corrections prior to facing Rybakina. Gauff has spent the past year refining her serve and forehand alongside biomechanics specialist Gavin MacMillan, efforts that translated into a strong hard-court swing that included a title run in Cincinnati and a semifinal finish in Toronto.
Gauff’s impressive summer run drew widespread praise from across the sports world and public figures, including a supportive message from former First Lady Michelle Obama following the semifinal match. Since breaking onto the professional stage as a teenager and claiming her first Grand Slam singles title at the 2023 US Open, Gauff has established herself as a cornerstone of modern American tennis, consistently competing deep into major tournaments while continuing to refine her technical mechanics.
Looking ahead, Gauff is set to take a brief break before returning to the WTA tour for the Asian hard-court swing. The world No. 4 is featured on the entry list for the China Open, a WTA 1000 event scheduled to take place in Beijing from September 30 to October 11, 2026. With nearly three weeks to train alongside her coaching team before her next competitive event, Gauff remains focused on building on her summer momentum as she prepares for the final stretch of the 2026 season.
