What a long, strange trip it was for Coco Gauff to reach the final of the U.S. Open … and that was simply on Thursday night.
For following the first game of the second set in the match in which Gauff was up 1-0 over Karolina Muchova after taking the first set by 6-4, a climate change protest delayed the proceedings for 49 minutes, 45 seconds.
Next up on Saturday in the final will be Aryna Sabalenka, the ascendant No. 1 (as of this coming Monday) who rallied to defeat Madison Keys 0-6, 7-6 (1), 7-6 (10-5) after breaking the American when she served for the match at 5-4 in the second set.
The NYPD and Open security acted as quickly as possible following initial shouts that disrupted the match. Two protesters were ejected swiftly. But a third removed his footwear and essentially glued himself to the cement floor in a corner section of the second tier. When it became apparent that the delay would be protracted, the players returned to the locker room to wait it out.
Officers acted judiciously. It took some time. But, eventually, the protester was extracted. Play was resumed. The truth of the matter is that the quality of tennis improved exponentially through the second set in which Muchova saved five match points — four in the final game in which she was broken, one when Gauff served for the match at 5-3 — before ultimately going down, 6-4, 7-5.
This second set featured multiple extended rallies, including a thrilling and ultimately dispositive 40-shot exchange at deuce in the 12th game on which Gauff put one away at the net off a drop shot to set up the match point she finally converted.
The first set, in which Gauff lost serve twice and Muchova three times without either woman saving a break point, was decided by unforced errors. Gauff was credited with four winners against 12 unforced errors, Muchova with three winners and 17 unforced errors. If Gauff was in control, it was because her opponent wavered.
The first game of the second set was routine. Then, the little demonstration that had a significant impact on the night, if not on the result. Honestly, no one can know. But, again, each player seemed refreshed and more on point once the contest resumed.
History was made in Queens on Thursday. It was made by Gauff, who became the youngest American woman to reach the final since Serena Williams in 2001. After also having reached last year’s final at Roland Garros before going down in straight sets to Iga Swiatek, Gauff has become the third youngest woman to reach two Grand Slam finals. Only Martina Hingis and Maria Sharapova were younger when hitting that milestone.
This is history we can appreciate.
History was also made by the protesters following less impactful displays from environmental activists at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. It is unlikely this demonstration that took place in the darker upper reaches of the Stadium got its message across. It is hard to believe that they ingratiated themselves with anyone in the stands or watching, even those who are believers in the cause. This, though, is often the way of civil disobedience.
And the socially conscious Gauff, who said she had overcome, “emotional challenges,” en route to victory, did not take issue with the protest or the protesters.
“I think that throughout history moments like this are definitely defining moments,” said the native Floridian. “I definitely, I believe, in climate change. I don’t really know exactly what they were protesting. I know it was about the environment. I always speak about preaching about what you feel and what you believe in. It was done in a peaceful way, so I can’t get too mad at it.”
“I 100 percent believe in that. I think there are things we can do better. Would I prefer it not happening in my match? 100 percent, yeah. I’m not gonna sit here and lie. But it is what it is.. Like I said, I prefer it not to happen in my match but I wasn’t pissed at the protesters. I know the stadium was because it just interrupted entertainment.”
The challenge now for the Open staff and the NYPD will be to prevent a repeat. The metal detectors spectators pass through would likely not detect an adhesive substance tucked into someone’s clothes. There is no appetite for a mass stop-and-frisk. The USTA will have to be vigilant.
Again. The interruption did not deter Gauff, who has been the tour’s hottest — we use the term advisedly — player through the summer hard-court season. She won titles in Washington and Cincinnati, the latter with a straight set victory in the final over Muchova. This victory enhanced her summer hard-court record to 17-1, with her only defeat coming to doubles partner Jessica Pegula in the semifinals in Montreal.
If the crowd was enervated during the delay, folks regained their enthusiasm through the second set in which both players improved their movement and ball striking. There was entertainment on center court following civil disobedience in the audience.
That is the takeaway from this long, strange trip at Ashe in Queens.
