French Open tennis - Coco Gauff destroys racket after double fault v Barbora Krejcikova at Roland Garros

ByBen Snowball

Published 09/06/2021 at 12:39 GMT

"I never condone racket smashing but right now she needs to do something to change this," said 1983 semi-finalist Jo Durie. Gauff steadied after receiving a warning from the umpire, but still bowed out in straight sets as Krejcikova moved into the last four at Roland Garros. The American is tipped to be the next big star in tennis and showcased her bulging talent on her run to the last eight.

Coco Gauff looks set for a very bright future in tennis but the red mist descended during her French Open quarter-final with Barbora Krejcikova.

After losing a first set tie-break which could have gone either way, the 17-year-old imploded as the match quickly ran away from her on Court Philippe-Chatrier.

At 0-3 and 0-40 on her serve, the American gifted her opponent an untimely double fault and followed it up by smashing her racket into the clay repeatedly.

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“Oops, well I never condone racket smashing but right now she needs to do something to change this,” said Jo Durie on Eurosport commentary.

Gauff was handed a warning by the chair umpire as she quickly slipped 5-0 behind. After another errant forehand failed to find the court, Durie continued: "She literally cannot get a ball in court at the moment."

The American looked to be down and out, but mounted a commendable mini fightback before Krejcikova eventually came through 7-6(6) 6-3 to reach a first Grand Slam semi-final.

It was Gauff’s first appearance in the last eight at a major. She still has three more opportunities to win a Slam before she turns 18, a feat that would equal that of Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova and Steffi Graf.

Martina Hingis holds the record at 16 years and 117 days when she beat Mary Pierce to win the 1997 Australian Open.

'Oops' - Gauff destroys racket after double fault

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Watch all the action from the 2021 French Open live on Eurosport, eurosport.co.uk and the Eurosport app with 13-time champion Rafael Nadal eyeing a remarkable 14th title at his favourite event and 2020 Roland Garros sensation Iga Swiatek aiming to replicate her stunning triumph.

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