'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAUACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABhAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAYQAAIBAwMFAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEDAgAEBQYSIQcRFCNBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAFEQEAAQUBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgADBBEhEmH/2gAMAwEAAhEDEQA/ANxrRV3oqwyYxeQvluybGIW7yWg205lfsWN3HB5Ee1Sy62ZNMiqVpcMlA7TM37QZEfaUoozMnFusrU/LKPdg70/afwQbSp3lf//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Coco Gauff is looking forward to taking on World No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the semifinals of the 2023 Dubai Tennis Championship on Friday.
The two booked their berths in the last four in contrasting fashion, with Swiatek being handed a walkover by Karolina Pliskova in the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, the American had to toil hard against compatriot Madison Keys, prevailing 6-2, 7-5 in an hour and 21 minutes. Gauff will now be looking to get her first win over Swiatek in what will be the sixth meeting of their burgeoning on-court rivalry.
In her post-match press conference, Gauff said that while playing against the World No. 1 will be a challenge, it will provide her with an opportunity to explore areas of her game that need improvement.
"I mean, no pressure. She's playing at the top of her game," Coco Gauff said. "Well, I don't know, because last year we said the same thing. She's playing really well. It's going to be a challenge. But, to be honest, I think it's a good matchup just to see where I can maybe improve on."
Gauff said she will step out onto the court "swinging" and not worry about the outcome too much. She stressed the need for self-belief even when the odds are stacked against one.
"You know, there's no pressure for me," she continued."I'm just going to go out there swinging. Whatever happens happens. You just kind of have to go in believing you can win even when the odds seem stacked against you."
"I'm still not perfect" - Coco Gauff on room for improvement in her game
Coco Gauff said that while the mental aspect of her game is still not "perfect," she has made improvements on that front.
The 18-year-old said she still "gets franctic" during matches but is now more focused on bouncing back and resetting mentally between points.
"I'm still not perfect," Coco Gauff said. "There's moments where I definitely get frantic. But I think it's improving. I feel like at least now, the last couple matches, you can't really get more calm than this."
"There's times I might get on myself. That's just my personality. I think it's more so not necessarily the reaction, it's more so how fast you can reset from that reaction," she conitnued. "I think that's what I try to focus on, is letting my emotions happen, but resetting as quickly as possible."
Gauff will take on Iga Swiatek in the first semifinal of the 2023 Dubai Tennis Championship, scheduled to be played on the Centre Court at the Aviation Club Tennis Center on Friday.
