Coco Gauff's remarkable comeback, overcoming early setback to secure victory over Mertens at US Open

Coco Gauff went from strength to strength to defeat Elise Mertens and advance to the fourth round of the US Open by 3-6, 6-3, 6-0.

The World No. 6 started the tournament with a controversial victory over Laura Siegemund, winning 4-6, 6-2, 6-4. In a rare sight, Gauff engaged in a heated argument with the chair umpire due to the delays caused by her German opponent in receiving serves.

In the second round, she faced a tough challenge but managed to defeat Mirra Andreeva 6-3, 6-2, setting up a meeting with the 32nd seed, Elise Mertens. Mertens had previously won against Mirjam Bjorklund (3-6, 6-3, 7-6) and local player Danielle Collins (3-6, 7-6, 6-1).

Mertens and Gauff had clashed twice before, both times with victories for the American, although not on hard courts (their previous matches were on clay and grass).

In the first set, the Belgian saved the first two break points in the sixth game and managed to keep the score level at 3-3. However, Gauff paid dearly for her errors and lost her service for the first time with a double fault.

World No. 32 Mertens held her service to take a 5-3 lead and once again secured a break to win the first set 6-3, frustrating Gauff with her solid exchanges. Gauff had 11 unforced errors and 9 winners in the set, while Mertens hit 11 winners and 8 unforced errors.

In the second set, Mertens started strong with her service and pressed for a break in the second game, but Gauff saved five break points and kept the score level. A break each way maintained an even match until 3-3. Gauff regained her confidence to secure two breaks, winning the last four games of the set.

The third set was a complete domination by the American, as she won five games in a row to close out the match with a final score of 3-6, 6-3, 6-0.

In the fourth round, Gauff will face former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki, who continues her impressive comeback from retirement and defeated Jennifer Brady in the third round.