\n<\/p>\n
Defending champion Coco Gauff came back from a set down to beat Ukrainian Elina Svitolina and reach the fourth round of the US Open.<\/b><\/p>\n
American third seed Gauff\u2019s bid to become the first woman to defend the title since Serena Williams in 2014 is still alive after a hard-fought 3-6 6-3 6-3 victory.<\/p>\n
“This win means a lot,” Gauff said. “I knew today was going to be a tough match. Every time I play Elina, she’s a fighter. I knew I had to bring my best tennis.”<\/p>\n
She will face compatriot Emma Navarro<\/b> after the 13th seed claimed a 6-4 4-6 6-3 win over Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk.<\/p>\n
The two Americans met in the fourth round of Wimbledon this year, with Navarro causing a shock on Centre Court.<\/p>\n
“I feel like that match at Wimbledon I think I mentally just literally collapsed on the court. I was very frustrated, and she played well,” said Gauff.<\/p>\n
“I have to expect her to play her best tennis, and I just need to know that I need to bring it and mentally be there from the beginning to the end.”<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, last year’s runner-up Aryna Sabalenka<\/b> fought back from a set down to beat Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova 2-6 6-1 6-2 in a match that finished at 1.49am local time in New York (06:49 BST).<\/p>\n
The late-night finish was a result of Friday’s day session on Arthur Ashe Stadium filtering into the evening slot, with Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton playing out a five-set thriller before the men’s defending champion Novak Djokovic suffered a surprise defeat by Alexei Popyrin.<\/a><\/p>\n “Thank you all for staying that late guys. For real, you’re the best. I hope you’re going to get a good sleep,” said Sabalenka, who arrived on court after midnight. <\/p>\n “I was praying they’re were not going to play so long.<\/p>\n “It was tricky but I just stayed with my team, tried to relax and pretended that the match was going to be in five hours instead to chill.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n