On Monday, June 2, 2025, second seed Coco Gauff delivered yet another commanding performance at the French Open, defeating Russia's Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-0, 7-5 to advance to her fifth consecutive Roland Garros quarterfinal. The American world No. 2 continues to demonstrate why she's one of the most formidable players on clay, moving with ease and precision on the red dirt in Paris.
Gauff, just 21 years old, started the match with blistering intensity, racing to a 5-0 lead in the first set with three consecutive breaks of serve within just 15 minutes. Alexandrova, 30, struggled to find her rhythm early on, managing a mere five points during that stretch as Gauff dominated baseline rallies and forced the Russian to chase down shots relentlessly. Despite surrendering five break points in the sixth game of the opening set, Gauff saved them all, sealing her first bagel of the tournament and setting the tone for what looked like a straightforward victory.
However, the second set brought a more competitive battle. Alexandrova finally held serve to open the set and began to mount a stronger challenge, capitalizing on some unforced errors creeping into Gauff’s game. The Russian pushed Gauff to raise her level, and the American responded with grit and composure. Gauff broke to go up 4-3 but was immediately broken back by Alexandrova, who then surged ahead 5-4 as Gauff double-faulted twice under pressure.
Despite the tense moments, Gauff remained unfazed. She broke Alexandrova once more and closed out the match on her own serve to secure a straight-sets win. This victory marks Gauff’s fourth straight-sets triumph at this year’s Roland Garros, underscoring her status as a serious contender for the title. With this win, she has now advanced to her ninth Grand Slam quarterfinal overall, a testament to her consistency and rising stature in women’s tennis.
Gauff’s performance on clay has been impressive throughout the season. She has won 14 of her last 16 matches on the surface, with her only losses coming against top competitors Jasmine Paolini in the Rome final and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the Madrid final. The American’s comfort on clay is evident, as she herself noted: "I move well, slide well, and physically I think I do better than most." Her agility and endurance on the physically demanding surface have been key factors in her deep runs at Roland Garros, where she reached the final in 2022 and the semifinals last year.
Gauff’s victory over Alexandrova also extends her head-to-head dominance, as she has now won four of their five encounters. The Russian, seeking her first Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance, put up a valiant fight in the second set but ultimately couldn’t overcome Gauff’s resilience and tactical prowess.
Looking ahead, Gauff will face a fellow American in the quarterfinals, with the winner of the all-American fourth-round match between reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys and No. 70 Hailey Baptiste set to challenge her. Keys, 30, holds a slight edge in their rivalry with a 3-2 head-to-head record, including a hard-fought victory on clay at the 2024 Mutua Madrid Open. Baptiste, meanwhile, was defeated by Gauff in their only previous meeting at the 2023 Mubadala Citi Open in Washington, DC.
This potential American showdown adds an extra layer of intrigue to the tournament, with Gauff aiming to continue her remarkable run and finally clinch her maiden Roland Garros title. Her journey so far has been marked by a blend of youthful exuberance and mature composure, qualities that have made her one of the most exciting players to watch on the WTA Tour.
Gauff’s coach and supporters will be hoping that her physical and mental edge on clay will carry her through the tough matches ahead. "The whole match I played well," Gauff reflected after her win. "She stepped up her game in the second set. Overall I thought I played great. I move well on clay, really comfortable with sliding and moving on the surface. The most physical surface for sure and I do well in that department." These comments highlight her confidence and readiness to take on the challenges that remain at Roland Garros.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Gauff to see if she can finally break through and lift the trophy in Paris. Her consistent presence in the latter stages of Grand Slams signals that a breakthrough could be imminent. Meanwhile, her next opponent, whether Keys or Baptiste, will be preparing for a tough battle against a player who has clearly found her stride on the clay courts of Roland Garros.
With the French Open quarterfinals underway, the stage is set for some thrilling tennis action. Coco Gauff’s blend of speed, skill, and tenacity makes her a formidable opponent, and her quest for the Roland Garros crown is shaping up to be one of the tournament's most compelling storylines.
