By Benson Daniel
Coco Gauff continued her impressive run at the 2026 US Open with a commanding straight sets victory over fellow American Iva Jovic, booking her place in the quarter-finals with a 6-1, 6-4 win.
The fourth seeded Gauff needed just two sets to overcome the 18-year-old Jovic in their all American fourth round clash at Arthur Ashe Stadium, producing a composed performance that underlined her growing confidence at the final Grand Slam of the season.
Jovic made an encouraging start by breaking Gauff in the opening game, but the early setback did little to unsettle the former US Open champion. Gauff quickly found her rhythm, winning six consecutive games to take control of the opening set.
The first set lasted just over 30 minutes as Gauff combined powerful groundstrokes with improved serving and consistent pressure from the baseline. Jovic struggled to match the intensity and was unable to prevent Gauff from closing out the set 6-1.
The teenager showed greater resistance in the second set and managed to stay within touching distance for longer stretches. Gauff, however, remained patient and continued to force Jovic into difficult exchanges.
Jovic’s errors eventually proved costly. She finished the match with 30 unforced errors compared with nine winners, while Gauff maintained the level required to close out the contest in straight sets.
The victory sends Gauff into the US Open quarter-finals for the first time since her breakthrough title run in 2023. The 22-year-old American has also maintained her unbeaten record in sets during this year’s tournament.
Gauff’s form has gathered momentum throughout the summer. After reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals, she won the Cincinnati title before arriving in New York with renewed confidence.
Her reward for defeating Jovic is a quarter-final meeting with fifth seed Mirra Andreeva. The Russian teenager, the reigning Roland Garros champion, also advanced to the last eight after defeating Anastasia Potapova in three sets.
The meeting with Andreeva will provide Gauff with another major test as she continues her pursuit of a second US Open title and a third Grand Slam crown.
Gauff’s latest performance also strengthens her position among the leading contenders remaining in the women’s draw, with the American showing the consistency and control needed to make another deep run in New York.
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