Coco Gauff could not hide her delight after becoming the first American teenager to reach the US Open semi-finals since Serena Williams in 2001.
The 19-year-old, seeded sixth in New York, recorded a 6-0 6-2 victory over world No.20 Jeļena Ostapenko in front of a delighted Arthur Ashe Stadium home crowd.
Gauff reached her maiden Grand Slam final last year in Paris but is looking to go one better at Flushing Meadows and register her first major trophy.
She will next play 10th-seed Karolina Muchova or 30th-seed Sorana Cirstea for a spot in the final and will head into that match as the favourite to progress.
Second-seed Aryna Sabalenka is the only player left in the draw who is ranked higher than Gauff and could potentially face the American in Saturday’s final.
Speaking after her win over Ostapenko, Gauff said: ‘It feels great, I’m so happy.
‘I lost at the quarter-final stage last year and wanted to do better this year. I have a long way to go but I’m happy and will get ready for the next one.
‘I didn’t feel comfortable at all the whole match, even at match point. She has the ability to come back no matter the scoreline so I was just trying to play every ball and hit it deep.
‘I was trying my best to be aggressive when I could. She has had a great tournament and I speak and get along with her well off the court.
‘The defence has always been there, but I’ve been improving my offence and that’s showing on the court.
‘Today I played well. This is my shortest match of the tournament by far so maybe I will get back and hit the [practice] courts.’
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