Coco Gauff eases past Dayana Yastremska to reach French Open fourth round

Coco Gauff’s bid for a maiden French Open title gathered pace after she reached the fourth round with a straight-sets victory over Dayana Yastremska.

The US Open champion, a finalist in Paris in 2022, won 6-2 6-4 to set up a meeting with Italian Elisabetta Cocciaretto.

Gauff, 20, squandered a match point at 5-2 in the second set and faced three break points at 5-4.

But she got over the line eventually when Ukrainian Yastremska, the 30th seed, wafted a forehand wide.

“It’s one match at a time,” said Gauff. “It’s important to stay in the moment. It’s important to expect great things from yourself but I’m 20 – and I’m hoping to be playing for another 10 years or so.”

Cocciaretto, had earlier knocked out 17th seed Liudmila Samsonova of Russia 7-6 (4) 6-2.

“I played her in Dubai this year and she’s definitely a fighter,” added Gauff.

“It’s not an easy match, she’s one of those players who doesn’t give up until you shake hands. It’ll be a difficult match but I’m ready.”

Defending champion Iga Swiatek celebrated her 23rd birthday by easing past Marie Bouzkova 6-4 6-2.

She said: “I enjoyed playing today. Marie is a difficult player, she has a really good defence so I didn’t want to rush it.

“Honestly, I feel good physically. I had a day off yesterday. I don’t feel like the match stayed with me – but we’ll see at the end of the tournament.”

Sixth seed Ons Jabeur came through a tough encounter with Leylah Fernandez 6-4 7-6 (5).

Jabeur, a two-time Wimbledon finalist, admits she is still dreaming of that elusive first grand slam title.

“I believe that anything is possible,” said the 29-year-old Tunisian. “I started this tournament playing match-by-match because I do not want to start thinking of the final.

“I just want to see how things go, but I’m a dreamer. I’ve always said it. I am a dreamer. I’m a believer.

“I’ll keep playing match-by-match for that second week. It’s a completely new week that is about to start, and I hope it’s going to work for me.”