Coco Gauff joins Serena, Venus Williams in exclusive American list after reaching third round of US Open 2023

The teenager is set to face Elise Mertens for a place in pre-quarterfinals.

Coco Gauff has become only third American teenager in the last 30 years to reach the third round of US Open on three different occasions. She has joined the likes of Venus Williams and Serena Williams, who achieved the same feat two decades back. 

The sixth-seeded Gauff defeated Mirra Andreeva for the second time in a Grand Slam this year, with a 6-3, 6-2 victory in just 76 minutes to reach the third round of US Open 2023. Gauff sent down 24 winners and converted four of the five break-point opportunities she received. 

The previous time they met was on clay courts at the Roland Garros this year, which Gauff won 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-1 in the third-round encounter. With her latest win, Gauff has extended her unbeaten winning streak to seven and has won 13 of her last 14 matches. 

The 63rd-ranked Russian, Mirra Andreeva, who played in the juniors of this year's Australian Open, was making her third appearance at a Grand Slam (in seniors) in New York. Andreeva made waves earlier this year when she became the youngest player to reach the fourth round on her Wimbledon debut since Coco Gauff in 2019.

Coco Gauff faces Elise Mertens for a place in pre-quarterfinals of US Open 2023

A challenge in the form of Elise Mertens now awaits Coco Gauff in the third round. Mertens, who hails from Belgium beat Danielle Collins 3-6, 7-6(7), 6-1 in her second-round match. The American leads Mertens 2-0 in their head-to-head records, having won during their previous meetings at Eastbourne in 2021 and Roland Garros in 2022.

The win against Andreeva means Gauff has made it into the third round at Flushing Meadows for the third time in five appearances. With this result, this is the third time she has reached at least the round of 32 in Grand Slams this year.