Coco Gauff has said that she 'did not want' the same win-loss record as Gael Monfils has against Novak Djokovic following her first ever win against
Iga Swiatek at the
Cincinnati Open.
World No. 7 Gauff reached a major milestone in her recent match against Swiatek at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, Ohio, as the 19-year-old finally got herself on the score sheet in their head-to-head, which the world No. 1 had previously led 7-0.
Gauff also had a 14-set losing streak against the Polish player, which she finally snapped after winning the tiebreak in the first set, and ultimately emerged victorious from the match 7-6(2), 3-6, 6-4.
Gauff references Monfils-Djokovic head-to-head
Speaking after the match, Gauff jokingly referenced another one-sided head-to-head between 23-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic and former world No. 6 Monfils.
The Serb leads over the Frenchman by 19-0, something which Gauff was keen to avoid with Swiatek.
"To be honest, I don't know if I was thinking too far ahead. No offense to Gael, but I did not want that record, like the Novak and Gael record. I didn't want that," she joked.
The American also expressed her determination to narrow the gap between her and Swiatek in their head-to-head now that she has a match to her name.
"Yeah, I'm really trying to cut this down as much as possible. So hopefully I can face her again and get the numbers up (smiling). But it feels really good," she said.
Gauff says win has boosted her confidence
Gauff also said that her win has given her confidence and belief that she can beat the very best in the world, after saying that it was as much a mental game against Swiatek as a physical game.
"It wasn't necessarily like her as a player. I think it was just the moment playing players like her. I think it gives me confidence that I have the ability. I mean, she's a four-time Grand Slam champion, No. 1. It shows that I can be at that level or compete with that level at least," she added.
Gauff will go on to face Karolina Muchova in the final of the Cincinnati Open. This is Gauff's first WTA 1000 final, and she will be looking to reach yet another major milestone by lifting the trophy.
