Coco Gauff has stormed into the fourth round of the US Open, where she faces a reunion with Naomi Osaka.
Gauff is the third seed at the hard-court Grand Slam, and is into the last 16 after a 6-3, 6-1 win over Magdalena Frech.
She currently occupies third in the WTA rankings, and now meets former world number one Osaka in the US Open last 16.
Osaka, who beat Daria Kasatkina 6-0, 4-6, 6-3 in round three, is the 23rd seed at the tournament, which she won in both 2018 and 2020.
American ace Gauff is also a former US Open champion, having lifted the prestigious trophy at Flushing Meadows in 2023.
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty ImagesCoco Gauff very ‘glad’ after request granted by US Open organizers
Gauff found it hard to see the ball in her win over Frech, after which she was asked about the conditions in New York by former player Laura Robson.
She said on Sky Sports: “You mentioned playing in the morning but day conditions it felt like helped you as well. Is that something that you’re going to request going forward?”
READ MORE: Coco Gauff gives her opinion on the US Open crowd talking during points on Arthur Ashe Stadium
Gauff replied: “I mean yes and no. I know that depending on who I play in my next match there’s probably no shot of it being day but I mean I like the night sessions too.
“I think I feed off that energy as well and in those tough moments a night crowd is I think a bit more intense.
“But yeah, I mean I’ve done well both times so I don’t know if I will request off that. But I did request can I have at least one day session because finishing every night at like 1 or 2 a.m. is not the best for the Slam.
“So I was like can I just get like at least one and so I was glad that they were able to give me that but I don’t know if I’ll get some more.”
What happened when Coco Gauff lost to Naomi Osaka at the 2019 US Open?
Gauff has drawn huge support at this year’s US Open, with Arthur Ashe Stadium having hosted all of her matches so far.
The 21-year-old did, however, suffer a scare there in her opening match, in which she beat Ajla Tomljanovic 6-4, 6-7(2-7), 7-5.
Another battle against Donna Vekic followed in the second round, where the home favourite won 7-6(7-5), 6-2.
Focus now turns to Osaka, who knocked Gauff out of the 2019 US Open in round three, when the American was making her debut at the event.
The 15-year-old wildcard was left in tears following the defeat, although was comforted by Osaka after the 6-3, 6-0 loss.
Osaka was the defending champion and the top seed in New York, but showed maturity beyond her years given she was still only 21 years old.