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Coco Gauff sets new mark before 22, edging past Serena in WTA 1000 history

Originally posted on HITC | By Callum Davies | Last updated Aug 16, 2025 8:10 AM ET

Coco Gauff has become one of the most recognisable faces in tennis, now sitting as the top-ranked American and a two-time Grand Slam winner.

Even with just one title so far this year, it’s hard not to be impressed by what the 21-year-old has accomplished. That win came at Roland Garros, where she got some payback for her loss in the final three years before.

She’s still been dealing with forehand errors and serving issues, but it’s been remarkable to watch her push through. If she can iron those out, we could be looking at a stretch of Coco Gauff dominance in the WTA.

This week though, she seems to have found some of that old form. And by reaching the Cincinnati Open quarter-finals, she’s managed to pass Serena Williams on a pretty impressive list.

Coco Gauff sets new milestone with latest Cincinnati Open victory

Surpassing a player as iconic as the 23-time Grand Slam champion in any area is worthy of recognition, but this particular statistic, linked to Masters 1000 tournaments, really shows Gauff’s knack for rising to the occasion.

Other than the majors, these are the most significant events on the calendar. She now ranks third all-time in quarter-finals reached before turning 22, trailing only Martina Hingis and Maria Sharapova.

19 – Since the Tier I/WTA-1000 format was introduced in 1990, Coco Gauff (19) is now the outright player with the third most quarterfinals in such events before turning 22. Solid. #CincyTennis | @CincyTennis @WTA @WTA_insider pic.twitter.com/9jn5JVgekC
— OptaAce (@OptaAce) August 14, 2025

While both are huge names in the sport, it’s her move past Serena that stands out. It could be a sign that she’s on track to follow some of the same paths Williams once took.

Gauff is building her own story in tennis but clearly benefits from the path Williams paved long before she arrived.

It feels fitting that Gauff might be the one to start chipping away at some of those marks Williams set over her career. Before their meeting, Jasmine Paolini shared her thoughts on Gauff both as a player and off the court.

Coco Gauff reveals why she’s skipping US Open mixed doubles

It’s a bit surprising that Gauff, one of the sport’s biggest names and right up there with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in terms of profile, won’t be taking part in the US Open’s new mixed doubles format.

Most top players are involved, many paired up in some of the more unusual combinations we’ve seen. But Gauff has explained her decision to sit this one out, saying she wants to keep her focus clear ahead of the final Grand Slam of the year.

Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images

She said: “For me, it was just because I know the free week of the U.S. Open is already packed for me, for sponsor things, and it was just like a whole other thing.

“And I’m very competitive; if I were to lose, I would not be happy… So, I didn’t want to waste mental energy on that.”

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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