Coco Gauff returned to the US Open quarterfinals for the first time since her 2023 title with a dominant 6-1, 6-4 win over American Iva Jovic on Monday. The No. 4 seed extended her winning streak to 10 matches and 20 consecutive sets, the longest of her career, though Gauff will next face fifth-seeded Mirra Andreeva, a player she has never lost to in five meetings.

Impressive Form and Historical Achievement

Gauff’s 2023 victory in New York marked her first Grand Slam title, and she was eliminated in the 2024 fourth round by Emma Navarro and in the 2025 quarterfinals by Naomi Osaka. This year, Gauff has reached three Grand Slam quarterfinals, making her the youngest American woman to do so in a single year since Serena Williams in 2003 at age 21. She has not dropped a set since her first match at the Cincinnati Open, where she won six matches en route to the title.

Gauff’s performance against Jovic was marked by relentless pressure and precision, though she described one point in the second set as feeling like she was running a marathon. Jovic, 18, showed flashes of brilliance but struggled against Gauff’s high level of play; the match lasted one hour and 33 minutes, with Gauff maintaining her composure and avoiding any signs of fatigue.

Quarterfinal Expectations and Head-to-Head

Despite the significance of reaching the quarterfinals, Gauff approached it with a calm demeanor. ‘I don’t know how to say this without, like — a quarterfinal for me, I feel like I’m at the point where I’m used to being in this position,’ she said. Gauff has a 5-0 record against Andreeva, with four of those wins on clay and one on hard court at the 2023 US Open, she emphasized the importance of appreciating the moment while maintaining a sense of normalcy.

Jovic, who reached the 2026 Australian Open quarterfinals, was attempting to match her best Grand Slam performance — she defeated No. 17 Alexandra Eala in the previous round. Gauff’s previous encounter with Jovic came in the 2024 Rome Round of 16, where she won in three sets; Jovic admitted after the match that Gauff’s strength and consistency made it difficult to find an opening.

Broader Tournament Context

Gauff’s 12th Grand Slam quarterfinal win places her among the top contenders for the 2026 US Open title; her ability to maintain form from the Cincinnati Open to New York has been a key factor in her success. Meanwhile, other quarterfinalists include Elena Rybakina, who defeated Naomi Osaka in straight sets, while Rybakina is now set to face Qinwen Zheng, who staged a remarkable comeback against Iga Swiatek.

As Gauff prepares for her next match, she remains focused on the process rather than the outcome. ‘I welcome it,’ she said. ‘I hope to play many more [quarterfinals]. I think it’s the fine line of appreciating the moment.’ Her performance so far has solidified her status as one of the tournament’s top seeds and a serious contender for the title.