Coco Gauff, 17, youngest player to enter French Open quarter finals

After defeating Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur at the French Open, Coco Gauff became the youngest Grand Slam quarter finalist in 15 years on Monday, reports AFP. Gauff, seeded 24, swept to a 53-minute 6-3, 6-1 win and takes on Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic for a place in the semi-finals.

Gauff became the youngest woman to reach the quarter finals at the age of 17 years and 86 days after Nicole Vaidisova who reached the quarter finals at the age of 17 years and 44 days in 2006. 

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In a composed performance on Court Philippe Chatrier on Monday, the American teenager broke her fellow former junior champion three times without facing a break point herself.

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“I am super happy to reach my first Grand Slam quarter-final. I played really well today,” said Gauff, who has yet to drop a set at the tournament.

Gauff came into the French Open on the back of a clay court title in Parma.

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“Parma taught me how to close out matches and how to deal with pressure,” added the American who also discovered Monday that she had claimed a place on the American team for the Tokyo Olympics.