"I'm definitely still learning on clay" - Gauff believes her best is yet to come after reaching first Grand Slam quarterfinal maiden

WTA
Tuesday, 08 June 2021 at 05:00
gauff rg 2021
American teenager Coco Gauff continues to impress at this year's Roland Garros, as she breezed past Ons Jabeur on Monday to reach her maiden Grand Slam quarterfinal.
The 17-year old needed just 53 minutes to secure the 6-3 6-1 victory, becoming the youngest player to make a Grand Slam quarterfinal since Nicole Vaidisova reached the last eight at the 2006 French Open.
"It means a lot to me," Gauff said after her match. "I have lost in the fourth round a couple times so it feels good to get over that hurdle. Today I played probably my best match so far in the tournament."
Furthermore, the 24th seed also became the youngest American to reach the quarterfinals of any Grand Slam since Venus Williams made it to the 1997 US Open final. Additionally, Gauff is the youngest American to go this far at Roland Garros since Jennifer Capriati reached the quarterfinals in 1993.
The American has an incredible season on clay, lifting the trophy in Parma a few weeks ago. However, she has not allowed her success to get to her head, admitting that she is yet to master the red dirt.
"I'm definitely still learning on clay, I'm going to always still be learning no matter how many matches I win," revealed Gauff. "But for me, it's just being patient. And shot selection I think is really important on clay because you're not going to have too many outright winners on clay just because it's slower and gives more time for your opponent to get the ball.
"I think clay is probably the surface you can use the whole court the most. I think it's important that I continue to mix up how I play so my opponents don't really know what to expect."
Awaiting Gauff in the quarterfinals is Czech Barbora Krejcikova, who is also making her debut at this stage of a Grand Slam.

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