Gauff gives herself ‘C’ rating after tough win

USA’s Coco Gauff celebrates her win over Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk in Melbourne yesterday. Pic/AFP

US Open champion Coco Gauff gave herself only a ‘C' rating for an error-strewn performance that put her into a first Australian Open semi-final Tuesday, but said she hoped it was a one-off.

The American world number four needed three hours and eight minutes to wear down Ukraine's unseeded Marta Kostyuk in stifling conditions on Rod Laver Arena 7-6 (8/6), 6-7 (3/7), 6-2.

She will face defending champion and second seed Aryna Sabalenka on Thursday for a place in the final.

Also Read: Ruthless Sabalenka, Gauff into quarters

After showing ominous form to race into the last eight, Gauff admitted she had an off-day - she struggled on serve and fluffed countless opportunities, hitting just 17 winners. "I think today was definitely a ‘C' game, so didn't play my best tennis but really proud that I was able to get through today's match," said the 19-year-old, who had never been past the fourth round at Melbourne Park in four previous attempts. "Hopefully got the bad match out of the way and I can play even better."

Both players were responsible for the low-quality contest, with an incredible 16 service breaks throughout the match, and the pair racked up 107 unforced errors between them.

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