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Coco Gauff admitted that she saw any matches as a \u201cbonus\u201d after winning the US Open and qualifying for the WTA Finals. The world No 3 is through to the quarter-final of this week\u2019s China Open. With her victory over Veronika Kudermetova on Thursday, she surpassed Iga Swiatek for the longest match-winning streak of the 2023 WTA Tour season.<\/p>\n
Gauff is currently playing in her first tournament since becoming a Grand Slam champion at the US Open. The American has safely made it to the last eight at the WTA 1000 event in Beijing, putting her on a 15-match winning streak after picking up the title in Cincinnati before her New York triumph.<\/p>\n
It means she surpasses Swiatek\u2019s 14-match run that spanned her title wins in Rome and the French Open, as well as her run to the Bad Homburg semi-final. And the 19-year-old admitted that she was playing with house money after securing her spot at the season-ending championships in Cancun.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe end of this season for me, especially once you\u2019re qualified, I consider it bonus matches,\u201d she said after downing recent Japan Open champion Kudermetova 7-6(5) 6-2. \u201cThat\u2019s why the first two matches I think I was disappointed in the way that I was playing.<\/p>\n
Click here to join our WhatsApp community to be the first to receive breaking and exclusive tennis news<\/strong><\/p>\n Just in <\/strong> Medvedev gushes with belief as ‘already won’ gauntlet thrown down to Alcaraz[LATEST] <\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cI think I was playing a little bit more tight, not going for my shots, not going for my serve. Today I was telling myself try to hit above 110, 115 as much as I could, be more aggressive.\u201d Gauff was able to turn things around in her victory over the 16th seed, admitting that she no longer felt the pressure.<\/p>\n She continued: \u201cI think for me in the long run, especially where it\u2019s tough to do it, but I feel like now that the pressure is off, now that the Grand Slam season is over and I\u2019m qualified, I think this could be a good week to continue to work on things I need to work on. Today I think I approached the match like that. I wish I did it earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n Gauff was able to save three set points against Kudermetova in the first set with the Russian serving for it. And the six-time title winner explained that her US Open victory gave her the ability to play with more freedom as she finally lived up to expectations of becoming a Major champion.<\/p>\n We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n Don’t miss… <\/strong> \u201cI think having that win makes you more confident in these moments, especially the way the US Open went for me, a lot of three-set matches, a lot of tough moments,\u201d the teenager explained. \u201cI think it\u2019s way more pressure in the Grand Slam than a 1000, even though there\u2019s still pressure, but it\u2019s just less.<\/p>\n \u201cI think I\u2019m able to handle these emotions more because of that experience. Honestly, I do feel more confident stepping on court. Plus the way I kind of started on the scene, a lot of people wanted that for me and expected that from me. I feel like now it\u2019s a little bit of a weight lifted and I\u2019m able to play more freer, focus on the long-term and how to be able to set myself up to win even more.\u201d<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/72\/590x\/secondary\/4995677.jpg?r=1696505831619\")
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