On the WTA Tour, every two years recently, a player has won two majors. Iga Swiatek did it in 2022, and Aryna Sabalenka accomplished the feat in 2024. Mirra Andreeva had a chance to do it in 2026, but in the quietest way possible, at the US Open.
While much of the focus has been on Aryna Sabalenka trying to three-peat, Elena Rybakina taking over as WTA No. 1, or on potential Americans that could win the major, such as Andreeva's quarterfinal opponent, Coco Gauff, Andreeva has been going about her business with a straightforward approach.
She doesn't yet have a chance to become No. 1 (that could come in 2027); the Russian was trying to win her first US Open. Gauff was trying to win her second. To begin the first set, it was Andreeva who was seemingly the more poised player. Gauff kept hitting unforced errors throughout the set, and she was plagued by an old problem: Double faults.
Coco Gauff defeats Mirra Andreeva in three sets in the quarterfinals of the US Open
By the end, Gauff was forced into comeback mode. She won only two games in the first set, and while she was playing poorly, Andreeva was definitely playing at a level that would beat most players.
The Russian had two aces and just one double fault, while the American had zero and three, (un)respectively. Andreeva also had nine winners and five unforced errors, while Gauff had three and 14.
The hope for most of those watching in attendance at Arthur Ashe Stadium, firmly behind Gauff, was that the American would get back to her usual form. What was clear was that Gauff wouldn't give up easily, as she never does. Returning serve at 3-2 in the second set, she got a break of Andreeva, and as long as she could hold, the match would be the latest quarterfinal to go the full distance.
She couldn't, however. Andreeva broke in the next game, and the set was back on serve, with the advantage tilting toward Andreeva. She already had a set in her pocket.
Only Gauff broke back until Andreeva immediately broke back again. Not that either player was greatly struggling with their serve, but double faults by each gave free points to the opponent, and both Gauff and Andreeva are excellent returners who don't need the added assistance.
Andreeva was able to even the second set at 5-all, and the set reached a tie-break.
Gauff began with her ninth double fault of the second set. As great a player as she is, she continues to be hamstrung by a weakness she needs to fix. Most of the problem is mechanical, but some of her double faults are due to a lack of focus. If she cleans up the problem, she would be even more successful, and even spinning a second serve in would be better at times.
What was arguably Andreeva's most impressive aspect was that she was as mentally strong as Gauff, one of the best in tennis in that regard. The trait is going to keep Andreeva near the top of the game, just as it has for Gauff.
After getting a 5-3 lead in the tie-break, Gauff was outplayed in the next three points, and Andreeva, content with getting into long rallies with the American, was a point away from winning the match. Gauff was able to get back to 6-all, however. In a battle of wills, Gauff was able to steal the tie-break with forceful backhands and evened the match at a set apiece.
The ironic part was that after staying tough for two sets, Andreeva blew a fuse after being broken in the third game of the third set. She walked to her bench, threw her racket on the court, and it almost hit a camera person. Had it done so, she could have been disqualified. She also sat on her chair, refusing to acknowledge that her coach was trying to get her attention.
As the set grew old, Mirra Andreeva began to wilt, missing more and more forehands while Gauff kept her poise and took advantage. A second break was likely all Gauff needed, and then she served out the match to take the final set 6-2.
Coco Gauff will next play Elena Rybakina in the semifinals. Rybakina defeated Zheng Qinwen in three sets in their quarterfinal match, which guaranteed that once the major was over, Rybakina would take over the WTA No. 1 ranking.
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