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Coco Gauff claimed an impressive comeback win on Arthur Ashe Stadium and then hilariously announced Novak Djokovic before the Serb's US Open third-round match. In the opening match of Friday's night session on Arthur Ashe, home favorite Gauff came back from a set down to beat Elise Mertens 3-6 6-3 6-0.
Following her win over Mertens, Gauff was interviewed on the court by Pam Shriver. As Shriver was preparing to announce Djokovic's match was coming up next on Arthur Ashe, Gauff hilariously interjected and shouted Djokovic's name.
Coco Gauff announces Novak Djokovic before he takes the court next at the US Open:
Pam Shriver: “Your session partner coming up next is…”
Coco: “NOVAK DJOKOVIC!” 😂 pic.twitter.com/0VwWixyAFb — The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 2, 2023
Gauff, Djokovic claim comeback wins
After Gauff defeated Mertens, Djokovic also had a winning day at the office after he recovered from two sets down to beat Laslo Djere.
Meanwhile, Gauff's hopes of winning her first Grand Slam at the US Open remained alive after she avoided a surprise loss to Mertens. After losing the first set, Gauff blew an early second-set break as she and Mertens were tied to three games apiece after the opening six games of the second set.
Then, Gauff won the next nine games to win the second set and also the third set without a game lost.
"She's the type of player where she steps in, if you give her something short, especially on the backhand side, he was doing well of attacking on that end.
Even on the forehand she was being aggressive. I think in the second I tried to keep her playing back and off her back foot, also coming in a little bit more so she knew I wasn't going to stay back every time she was playing defense," Gauff said.
After beating Mertens, 19-year-old Gauff admitted that was one of the matches she could have lost in the past. "I think maybe that could have been a match that I could have lost in the past, especially breaking her, then immediately getting broken back. I'm figuring out these situations, making it easier and easier as the matches go," Gauff said.