Caroline Garcia became the third French woman to reach a US Open semi-final as she schooled Coco Gauff 6-3, 6-4 on Tuesday.
She follows Amelie Mauresmo (2002, 2006) and Mary Pierce (2005) into the New York final four.
The August winner of the Cincinnati title moved into a Thursday match with Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur, who defeated Ajla Tomljanovic 6-4, 7-6(4).
“I don;t know how to describe this, my head is buzzing. It’s crazy,” the winner said after reaching her first semi-final at a Grand Sla.
“It is very, very strong to play an American here. My confidence has been growing the last few months.
“I’m going more for my shots, moving forward on the ball.
Garcia got off to a 4-0 lead before Gauff could react, with the American finally getting onto the scoreboard in the fifth game with a break of the Frenchwoman.
Garcia wrapped up the 49 minute set four games later on her first opportunity; it was the first set of the tournament lost by Gauff.
No. 17 Garcia – her ranking will rise to 13th – broke to start the second set against her 18-year-old opponent , seeded 12th and the most recent French Open runner-up.
Garcia came from 0-30 down to hold for 5-3; two games later she moved ahead as Gauff drove a backhand into the net on a return after 97 minutes.
Earlier, Jabeur cut short the upset run of Ajla Tomljanovic as she defeated the Australian 6-4, 7-6(4).
The Wimbledon finalist whose confidence has been boosted by her unexpected success on grass, will face off in a semi-final against
Tomljanovic defeated Serena Williams last week in the third round and then ended the 12-match win streak of Liudmila Samsonova in the fourth.
Jabeur had to work for one and three-quarter hours against Tomljanovic to advance to the final four of a second consecutive major. She came from 3-5 down in the second set to claim victory.
“In the tiebreak I told myself to keep believing. I’ve been to a Grand Slam final,” the winner said
“I believe in myself after Wimbledon, I know I have it in me to win a Grand Slam final.”
Jabeur posted 29 winners and just one more unforced error while her opponent ended with 12 winners and 24 unforced errors.
But her temper occasionally flared, resulting in a few racquet tosses.
“It was tough sometimes to manage the frustration,” the first African woman to get to the semis here said. “I apologise for my behavior.
“I wanted to keep calm but the racquet kept slipping away from my hand.
“I think I’m going to be fired from my job, as ‘Minister of Happiness.’(her Tunisian nickname)”
Jabeur said she made hard work of her victory.
“I was hoping to win more easily in the second set, but it’s me – I just like the suspense. I like to take it to the tiebreak.
“But I’m glad that I got the win and hopefully will continue and play even better for the next matches.”
Tomljanovic said she ran into a better player on the day.
“Making quarters is always a good week, I made some good memories.
“But at the same time, I can learn a lot from this match, the experience can only help me.
“I don’t think the energy was the problem. It was more just some of the choices I made, the execution.
“I came up against a player that wasn’t giving me much either. That doesn’t make it easier.”
Main photo:-Caroline Garcia celebrates in her trade mark style after winning wins ladies singles quarter final
Photo Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd
