French Open 2025: Chris Evert ‘shocked’ at inconsistency from ‘fighter’ Coco Gauff during ‘sketchy’ quarter-final win over Madison Keys

TNT Sports expert Chris Evert was "shocked" at the inconsistency on display from both Coco Gauff and Madison Keys as both Americans struggled to hit top form during their French Open quarter-final. Gauff, the world No. 2, eventually won the battle of nerves, coming through in three sets 6-7(6) 6-4 6-1 to book her place in the semi-finals at Roland-Garros for the third time in her career.

Gauff pays tribute to compatriot Keys after reaching French Open semi-finals

Video credit: TNT Sports

TNT Sports expert Chris Evert labelled Coco Gauff a "fighter" as the world No. 2 battled inconsistency to finally overcome compatriot Madison Keys and reach the French Open semi-finals.

Gauff, the second seed at Roland-Garros, booked her place in the last four in Paris for the third time in her career with a 6-7(6) 6-4 6-1 win on Court Philippe-Chatrier in a match littered with unforced errors from both players.

Keys, the reigning Australian Open champion, hit 60 unforced errors across the entire match, while Gauff made 41 herself.

WTA Wuhan

Gauff reveals why she nearly missed Asian swing after claiming Wuhan Open title

12/10/2025 at 22:07

In the TNT Sports commentary box, Evert - herself a seven-time French Open champion - praised Gauff for her spirit as she came back from a set down to win.

The victory sets up a semi-final encounter with either Mirra Andreeva, the sixth seed, or the unseeded home favourite Lois Boisson, this year's surprise package, who stunned third seed Jessica Pegula in the last 16.

"She’s a fighter," Evert said of Gauff, as the 21-year-old celebrated her victory.

"She’s known to be a fighter. Ever since she was 15, she’s played professional tennis and got herself out of holes. She’s as good as anybody, and she never quits. She’s got a good heart out there.

"Didn’t play her best, and had to deal with Madison’s big forehand that gave her trouble, but in the end, she came through in the third set and played almost a flawless set. She looked so happy and relieved at the same time.

"It was a very nervy match. Both players couldn't find their game in the first and second sets. They were gutsy, they were fighters, but in the third set, Coco found it.

"Madi, I’m sure, is disappointed in her play. She had her chances for sure, but it was Gauff who was mentally toughest."

Both players visibly showed their frustrations during the encounter, with Gauff ruing "so many unforced errors", while Keys glanced up at the sky and let out a "what are you doing?" as she netted a backhand.

Watch as Keys wins incredibly tense opening set against Gauff in quarter-final

Video credit: TNT Sports

Yet, with "so much at stake", according to Evert, neither player could really find that initiative throughout, and it stunned the TNT Sports commentator.

"This has been a sketchy match," she said.

"You can look at the stats. It’s almost more than three times the amount of unforced errors than winners. It’s that they’re not playing their best games. It’s the quarter-finals of a major and they haven’t found their best games yet. They’re not consistent, they’re up and down.

"They’re hitting great shots, one or two great points, and then one or two bad points. And that’s not going to win you a major. For sure. OK, you have to deal with not playing well, but then you figure it out. What are you doing wrong on your shots?

"I’m shocked, both of them. I can see one player being really tight and not playing well, but both are not playing well."

Watch as Gauff immediately breaks back in wild start against Keys

Video credit: TNT Sports

Evert went as far as saying that Keys had no "B-game", which was causing the American to blaze her groundstrokes - her forehand in particular - wide and long.

"She doesn’t have a B-game," Evert said. "She doesn’t have a back-up plan. That’s the only pace she knows; to go harder and harder. I think it throws her game off.

"If she were to let up, it would throw her stroke off. She’s used to pouncing on everything. When she’s on, she wins Slams."

Evert delved deeper into why both players were struggling to hit their characteristic lofty heights, and made the conclusion that their familiarity with each other's games was the primary reason.

‘Both finding form at right time’ – Henman builds up ‘blockbuster’ Sabalenka v Swiatek semi

Video credit: TNT Sports

"Even when Coco is ranked No. 2 in the world, Madison leads the head-to-head 3-2. The last one was on clay, in a three-set match. Madison has beaten her before and is confident out there, not intimidated by the No. 2 seeding," she explained.

"If you know someone really well, and they’ve played on the same team at the Billie Jean King Cup, practised together, and hung out together at times. They know each other pretty well. They know each other’s games even better.

"There’s also word in the locker room. That means how to play a player, knowing their strengths and weaknesses. Word in the locker room is keep hitting to Coco’s forehand and maybe it’ll break down.

"The word in the locker room with Madison is that her ball tolerance isn’t high. Keep her out there, hitting a lot of groundstrokes, and eventually, she might miss. They’re both high-risk players, but high-reward as a result."

Stream the 2025 French Open live and on-demand on discovery+

WTA Wuhan