NEW YORK -- Coco was the envy of her friends after Sloane Stephens visited her 10th birthday at a waterpark. They were stunned to find a professional tennis player there.
Stephens' childhood coach was Gauff at the time and they had already become friends. They would meet up at family events and parties over the next few decades. Stephens was 28 years old at the time, and Gauff looked up. Stephens also followed Gauff’s rapid growth.
Stephens' win at Arthur Ashe Stadium in 2017 was something Gauff witnessed in awe. Gauff then played in the junior final of the tournament, hoping to do the exact same.
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The two met for the first time Wednesday during round 2 of Ashe's tournament in prime-time.
Gauff, 17, described it as a "full circle moment" before the match. For tennis fans, it was an exciting clash between two women who, at different times, have been considered America's greatest hope to replace Serena Williams and Venus Williams. This is the first US Open Gauff has seen without the Williams sisters.
Stephens won the much-anticipated generational battle 6-4,6-2 in less than an hour.
The match was initially a classic, with the two teams trading games and being tied at 4-4 in the first set, as Hurricane Ida's remnants poured down on the roof. Stephens's experience won, despite her blistering forehand play and dominant first serve. Gauff was unable to win the next two games.
Sloane Stephens' impressive wins over Madison Keys, Coco Gauff and Coco Gauff have shown that she is capable of making a deep run in the US Open. ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images
Stephens won the last five games of the second set with a clinical win to secure victory.
As Gauff walked towards the net, she was sad. Stephens quickly reached out to her and said that she loved her.
Stephens said that she was proud of her performance, as well as the girl and woman she is becoming.
After her surprise fourth round run at Wimbledon 2019, Gauff was a household name. After defeating Venus Williams in round one, Gauff returned to face two match points against Polona Hercog on Centre Court.
With her bold play and friendly personality, Gauff won over many fans all around the globe. Gauff was instantly hailed as the next big thing in the sport.
She has risen rapidly in the rankings since then and won two WTA singles titles and three in doubles. She also reached the French Open quarterfinals earlier in the year. At the moment, she is ranked at a career high No. 23. A major title is often viewed as a foregone conclusion.
However, that fate will not be decided until at least 2022.
Stephens wasn't as bright as Gauff, but she was just as talented and had high expectations. Stephens, a 14-year old, won the US Open junior doubles title and reached the semifinals in the illustrious Orange Bowl. Although it would take Stephens a while to achieve Gauff-level fame, she finally did. She defeated Serena Williams in quarterfinals at the 2013 Australian Open.
Stephens, then 19, was suddenly the rising star of the country. While Gauff's career has been mostly upward, Stephens's trajectory is not always straight. She had fallen to No. She was ranked No. 957 before her US Open victory. The following season, she won her maiden Grand Slam title and reached the final at Roland Garros.
Although she hasn't made it past the quarterfinals of a major tournament since then, her wins over Gauff, Madison Keys, and former US Open finalist at this tournament show that she is capable of making another deep run.
Stephens stated after the match, "I'm really happy about the two wins." I played great tennis to win them. It's only the third round of the Slam so I need to keep going. It's great to know that I managed to win those two wins despite all the pressure and other things going on.
Stephens will take on Angelique Kerber, a three-time major winner, or Anhelina Kalinina. A possible clash with Naomi Osaka in round 16 is also on the horizon. Stephens has a record of 2-0 over Osaka but they haven't met since 2018.
At 17 years old, Gauff has already won two WTA singles titles as well as three doubles titles. He is currently ranked No. 23. 23.
Gauff was disappointed by Wednesday's results and felt she was forced to leave earlier than she expected.
Gauff stated, "I feel like a Slams winner." I believe that if I improve my game, I can win one. I have lost to other players who have been to the quarters or won in the past two Slams. It shows that I am capable of winning one.
Gauff will now focus her attention on doubles with Caty McNally, her long-time partner. The No. The No. 11-seeded couple will try to improve on their previous quarterfinal runs.
Although Gauff wasn't happy with Wednesday's result, she impressed the cool girl who attended her childhood birthday party.
Stephens stated, "It's been really nice to watch her game evolve and the things she's doing like how she can turn so much defense in offense and kinda do those movements." She is a great player at the net. She is a great player all around. It was really great to see.
"She is different than a lot the up-and coming players we see now that are super hard hitting and not much variety." She is very versatile."
