Coco Gauff has started a very successful doubles partnership with Christian Harrison.
Gauff, who has recently received backlash from American tennis fans, has been representing the USA at the United Cup.
The two-time Grand Slam champion has already had it tougher than last year, with Gauff losing to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.
However, Gauff’s doubles partnership with Harrison has remained unbeaten and they have now sent the USA into the United Cup semifinals.
Christian Harrison explains what Coco Gauff makes him do when they play doubles together
In USA’s quarterfinal tie against Greece, Gauff won the opening match against Maria Sakkari, but the scores were drawn level when Taylor Fritz was beaten by Stefanos Tsitsipas.
This left it all up to the deciding mixed doubles match, where Gauff and Harrison were able to beat Sakkari and Tsitsipas, 4-6 6-4 [10-8].
After helping her nation advance to the semifinals, Gauff reflected on the match in the on-court interview, where she admitted she was really happy with the way she played throughout the tie against Greece.
“I mean we got up to a lead, and yeah I thought it was a great level throughout and I think that we just played free and aggressive and they were a great team it wasn’t easy, so I’m really happy that we were able to move through,” said Gauff.
“I felt that I was playing really good today and Christian was playing well as well, so I knew that once we got some opportunities it would eventually swing our way.”
It was then Harrison’s turn to speak, after he was asked about how he felt playing with Gauff.
Harrison responded by revealing that Gauff’s calm energy forces him to act in a similar way, claiming that she ‘sets the tone’ for the team.
“It gives me all the confidence,” said Harrison. “I look at her and no matter the score she’s just so calm, so I’m like okay I can’t act out of control right now, I’ve got to feed off what she’s doing, so she sets the tone out there.
“Honestly it was a tight match, but I felt relaxed out there, big stage, all the credit to my partner.”
Michael Russell reacts after USA reach the United Cup semifinals
While Harrison claimed that Gauff sets the tone for the team, it is actually Michael Russell who is the captain of the USA United Cup squad.
Russell, who is also the coach of Taylor Fritz, spoke about how he felt after watching Gauff and Harrison confirm his team’s place in the last-four.
“Yeah, I mean it’s awesome,” said Russell. “This whole team there’s such great perseverance and it’s kind of like USA, the first word united and that’s what we’ve done.
“Great support from everyone and just so happy and proud of these guys and girls, and let’s get after it in Sydney.”
After playing their first three ties in Perth, the USA will now travel to Sydney for their semifinal tie.
This is where they will play either home favorites Australia or Poland, who they beat in the final of the 2025 United Cup.
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