Why Coco Gauff avoided messaging Frances Tiafoe, Ben Shelton ahead of 'incredible' men's US Open semi-final
By Leon Imber
Published 10/09/2026 at 07:40 GMT+1
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Coco Gauff secured a stunning comeback victory against French Open champion Mirra Andreeva to secure her place in the US Open semi-finals on Wednesday, and later revealed why she avoided messaging her compatriots - Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton - after they also reached the final four.
Coco Gauff of the United States celebrates after defeating Mirra Andreeva in their Women's Singles Quarterfinal match on Day Eleven of the 2026 US Open
Image credit: Getty Images
Gauff went a set behind against Andreeva before taking the 19-year-old to a nervy second-set tie-break.
But when the 2023 US Open champion won that to level the match, there appeared only one outcome at3 Arthur Ashe Stadium, as Gauff wrapped up the 2-6 7-6(7) 6-2 victory in nearly two and a half hours.
The two-time major winner became the fourth American to secure their place in the semi-finals across the men's and women's draws, and revealed that she did not reach out to congratulate Shelton and Tiafoe for their achievements due to feeling it was a "bad luck omen".
”I don’t really like to do it in the middle of the tournaments because I feel like it’s a bad luck omen, so I usually don’t like to text anyone while they’re playing the tournament," Gauff said in her post-match press conference.
"I don’t want to screw up momentum.
"Madison [Keys] had the same thing with Frances and the one time he didn't text her, she won the Australian Open, so I was like, let me not ruin it for them."
Wednesday marked 58 years to the exact day that Arthur Ashe became the first Black man to win the US Open singles title.
And this year's men's draw is guaranteed to have one American man in the final, with Tiafoe and Shelton facing one another in search of a maiden Grand Slam title.
In the very stadium in which Ashe's name is adorned, Gauff said it is "incredible" to have a men's semi-final starring two Black men.
"With Arthur Ashe, I think it’s so incredible," Gauff said.
"Especially on the men’s side I never thought I’d have the chance to see an all Black semi-final between the guys in my lifetime.
"Even growing up, just look at who was playing. I just never thought that that would be able to happen.
"To have also me in the semis, I think it’s really cool. I have so much respect for both Ben and Frances. I’m just rooting for a good match. Hopefully whoever wins can bring it home.”
Like Gauff, Tiafoe was forced to come from behind in order to secure his place in the last four.
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He fell two sets down against compatriot Alex Michelsen before staging an almighty comeback, and footage of him consoling his beaten opponent after the match went viral.
Gauff said that when she was behind against Andreeva, Tiafoe's comeback served as inspiration.
"Frances was looking down and out, sometimes you just need a chance and I think I got my chances today," she said.
"I was really determined to not lose that second set because I worked so hard to give myself opportunities and lost them, didn’t know how the third set would go but was really focused on trying not to lose that second set and keep it competitive.
"Once the third set started I felt pretty confident I was going to come out with that one. Sometimes you need a little bit of inspiration, and Frances was that for me in that moment."
And, beyond just inspiring her quarter-final win, Gauff was brimming with praise for Tiafoe away from the court.
"Frances is such a light, such a joy to have on tour," Gauff said.
"Always been so nice, hyping me up, my family up.
"He’s a special type of person, everyone on the tour can agree. He’s one of few players always lighting up the room, and giving respect to us women, hyping us up.
"He’s a rare person in this world and in this sport."
One of Tiafoe or Shelton will face Alexander Zverev or Karen Khachanov in the men's final at Flushing Meadows.
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