The last time Coco Gauff and Karolína Muchová faced off was in Cincinnati, Ohio, where Gauff defeated Muchová in the Western & Southern Open women's singles final to become the youngest winner in tournament history.
Gauff made history once again when the two reunited on the court Thursday night.
The 19-year-old American defeated Muchová 6-4, 7-5 to become the first American teenager since Serena Williams in 2001 to reach the U.S. Open finals.
Bleacher Report @BleacherReportWHAT A RALLY 😱 <br><br>Coco Gauff with the tough point 🔥 <br><br>(via <a href="">@usopen</a>) <br> <a href="">
Bleacher Report @BleacherReportCOCO GAUFF IS HEADED TO HER FIRST-EVER US OPEN FINAL ⭐<br><br>(via <a href="">@usopen</a>) <a href="">
27-year-old Muchová, who appeared shaky as she quickly fell behind 5-1 in the first set, rallied in the second set to make the end of the match a tense 15 minutes for the American crowd as Gauff couldn't convert on four match point opportunities.
Gauff eventually forced a final miss by Muchova to claim her spot in the finals.
Gauff also made it to the finals of the 2022 French Open, where she lost in two sets to Iga Świątek. This year could be different, Gauff told reporters after her quarterfinals win over Jelena Ostapenko, per Andscape's William C. Rhoden.
"Right now, I feel emotionally fresh, which I think was the problem in the past in Grand Slams," Gauff said. "I would emotionally be drained. Obviously, I'm physically fresh and emotionally fresh, and I think that just came from experience. I don't know if it's because I've been tricking myself or maybe when this is over I'm going to hit a wall. But I'm really proud of how I'm able to get through these matches."
Gauff is now on the longest win streak of her career after claiming victory her last 11 matches and does not appear set to hit that wall anytime soon. Her focus Thursday even after Muchová's late rally and the mid-game disruption showed that she will be a formidable opponent against either Keys or Sabalenka.
