By Shara Talia Taylor

Coco Gauff exited the US Open tennis tournament after falling to Caroline Garcia of France (6-3, 6-4) Tuesday evening at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

It was a notable accomplishment for the 12^th world ranked teenager who made it to the quarterfinals of the tournament for the first time. Gauff had more overall success than Garcia with her first serves and hit strong, but also had more overall double faults and ended up playing defense to Garcia who was swifter, energized throughout the match and determined to win each point.

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“Her level was great and I knew it was going to be great coming in and I feel like I didn’t play at the level that I needed to come out with the win today,” Gauff said.  “Overall I’m super proud of myself on this tournament, but I’m hungry for more. So maybe next year.”

Gauff said she was not disappointed by her own play. She felt as though she bounced back following her last tournament in Cincinnati and was proud of herself to make it to the quarterfinals of the US Open.

Gauff struggled early in the first set against the 17^th world ranked Frenchwoman, who won the first four games.  Garcia was quicker on her feet and hit smart shots forcing Gauff to move back and forth across the court.

“I think she hit a lot of big shots especially a couple forehands down the lines (when) I thought I was hitting some good deep balls, but I knew that because she stands right on top of the base line,” Gauff said about her opponent.  “The previous times that I played her I would say she’s definitely striking the ball much better.”

Gauff defeated Garcia in their last singles meeting in February at the Qatar Totalenergies Open in Doha.

Gauff improved in the second set. She picked up speed earlier and won the third game. She had successful smart plays and spikes, however Garcia kept her momentum. She approached the net and Gauff would then aim for low and strong returns as she bent her knees and used doubled handed force, instead of lobs.  Some of those hits landed into the net.

“I’m not really a lobber to be honest only when I have to, but I had a lot of passing shots,” Gauff said. “I feel like today just wasn’t my day and it was her day and she’s playing really well.  The lob you just have to feel it out.”

Gauff had five aces and six double faults overall and Garcia had four aces and four double faults. Gauff made 78% of her first serves in overall and Garcia made 52% of her first serves in.

Garcia now moves ahead to take on Ons Jabeur of Tunisia in Thursday’s semifinals. The US Open tweeted Tuesday Jabeur is the first African women to reach the semifinals in the open era after defeating Ajla Tomljanovic, who defeated serena Williams in round 3.