After monumental win in quarterfinals, Coco Gauff is poised for her next big step

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The first set of Gauff's French Open match against Barbora had five set points. She didn't convert any of them.

She ended her career-best appearance at a major by losing the match. She could not hide her disappointment. Despite being just 17 years old, she didn't lose sight of the bigger picture and she wasn't going to let it happen again.

Gauff told reporters after the loss that he believed his match with Wallart would make him a champion in the future.

She is two victories away from the French Open title.

On Tuesday, Gauff, now 18, reached the first semifinals of her Grand Slam career with an impressive 7-5, 6-2 win over fellow American and long-time friend. Gauff was nearly flawless in her take on the US Open champion, as she has done for much of the tournament. She has not dropped a set in her five matches at the French Open.

Gauff told the crowd after the match that he felt happy. Last year in the quarterfinals was a tough loss for me and I think that match really made me stronger, to better prepare for moments like today, and moments I will face in the next round.

Gauff is the third American in 20 years to reach a final four at a major before her 19th birthday. It is the latest achievement for the budding superstar.

Gauff became a global sensation at Wimbledon when she beat Venus Williams in the first round, becoming the youngest player in the tournament's history. She made a run to the fourth round, and has since been seen as the sport's next thing, and a potential heir to replace the Williams sisters once they retire.

Since her star turn, she hasn't had the success of other teens, like US Open champion Emma Raducanu, but she has slowly but surely been progressing on all surfaces and moving up the rankings.

She won two singles titles, most recently at Parma last year, and four in doubles, including her first 1000-level title of any kind. In April, she reached a career-high ranking.

Just continue to be you! #dreambig https://t.co/z1bZR3XNNw

— Coco Gauff (@CocoGauff) May 31, 2022

Gauff has said that she gets the best of herself. The tournament has felt different. She said that she has a more relaxed mindset this time around.

There have been no outward signs of stress in Paris. She has looked calm and poised, even during the few challenging moments she has faced, and has been all smiles and laughter after each match, further enamoring herself to the French crowd with each victory.

On Tuesday, she spoke to the Philippe-chatrier audience about her new attitude.

Gauff said that he believes in himself and that he was too focused on trying to fulfill other people's expectations last year. I think I am a great person no matter what my career is like. That is a message for all the young players out there that your results, even in life in general, your results or your job, does not define you as a person. If you love yourself, who cares what anyone else thinks.

Gauff, playing for herself, will have the biggest chance of her career on Thursday in the semifinals against unseeded 28-year-old Martina Trevisan. Many had looked ahead to a potential showdown between Gauff and Leylah Fernandez as an exciting glimpse of the sport's future, but they were defeated in the first match.

Gauff and Trevisan's paths to the moment couldn't be more different. After taking a break from the sport for several years because of an eating disorder, Trevisan returned to the sport and made her debut in a major main draw in 2020. Both will be looking to advance to the final.

In the second round of the 2020 French Open, Trevisan beat Gauff. She knocked off Gauff in three sets in the quarterfinals of the Grand Slam.

Gauff does not need revenge on Thursday. She has a lot of that.

The winner of Thursday's semifinal will likely face Iga Swiatek in the final. Swiatek has been the overwhelming favorite for the Suzanne-Lenglen Cup for much of the spring, as she has won clay titles in Rome and Stuttgart and is currently riding a 32- match win streak. She showed signs of vulnerability during her fourth-round match against Qinwen Zheng and will need to get past Pegula on Wednesday. The semifinals will feature either Daria or Veronika Kudermetova.

Gauff had to focus on her third-round doubles match on Tuesday because she had spoken about taking it one match at a time. She would have to think about Trevisan or Swiatek first.

No matter what happens the rest of the week, she will be fine.

Gauff said on Sunday that he was enjoying the tournament and not thinking about the end result. I am enjoying the match ahead of me and I am not in control of what happens. I will either give it my best or not.