Gauff bounces back to lead US into last four

Coco Gauff pulled off double duty to drag defending champions the United States into the United Cup semifinals on Jan 7, while world No. 2 Iga Swiatek did her bit for Poland.

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Coco Gauff making a return during the United Cup quarter-final mixed doubles match against Maria Sakkari and Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece in Perth on Jan 7. She and Christian Harrison prevailed 4-6, 6-4, 10-8 to send the United States into a semi-final against either hosts Australia or Poland.

(EPA)

Fourth-ranked Gauff, who suffered a surprise defeat last time out, put the US on their way in their quarterfinal against Greece with a 6-3, 6-2 win over former world No. 3 Maria Sakkari in Perth.

Stefanos Tsitsipas brought Greece level by defeating struggling Taylor Fritz 6-4, 7-5, but Gauff teamed up with Christian Harrison to battle past Tsitsipas and Sakkari 4-6, 6-4, 10-8 in the deciding mixed doubles.

The 21-year-old Gauff had struggled with her serve as she suffered her first defeat at the United Cup on Jan 5, when she was stunned by Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in a group tie.

"Definitely a much better match today," she said. "Last match, I just tried to erase it. That’s the beauty of this tournament. So definitely happy to give my team the lead today."