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Diana Shnaider shares secret to upsetting Coco Gauff in Toronto

Shnaider stunned Gauff in two sets in the Toronto round-of-16.

Diana Shnaider shares secret to upsetting Coco Gauff in Toronto

Vaughn Ridley
Diana Shnaider thought she did an exceptional job in the mental part versus Coco Gauff and also revealed that she was thrilled with how she was able to stay in rallies with the world No. 2 and not allow the American tennis star to impose her game.

Since Iga Swiatek decided against playing Toronto after the Paris Olympics, Gauff entered the tournament as the top seed. But facing the No. 1 seed and the top favorite for the title was no issue for 20-year-old Shnaider, who ousted the American tennis star 6-4 6-1 in the Toronto round-of-16.

Since May, Shnaider has won her first three WTA titles and achieved a career-high ranking of No. 23 in the world. But still, nobody really expected that Shnaider would completely outplay the 2023 US Open champion in their first matchup.

“Well, I think I did very good job today from the mental side and keeping the focus during the whole match. It was a little bit tough with the wind today, but we need to adjust to conditions, so I think I did a great job today adjusting to conditions, adjusting to Coco’s game. Just playing first time on center court I was also a little bit nervous, but very proud of myself and how the match went today for me,” Shnaider reflected.

What was in Shnaider’s mind going into the Gauff match?
When the match started, both Shnaider and Gauff firmly held on to their serves and the Russian led 5-4 through the opening nine games. Then out of nowhere – not only that Shnaider got the first break points of the match in the ninth game – but she earned three consecutive and realized her third to break Gauff in the key moments of the first set and take the opener.

The start of the second set saw Gauff finally clinching her first break point in the third game – but she didn’t convert it. And from that point on, there was only one player on the court as Shnaider claimed back-to-back breaks in the fourth and sixth games to win the last five games and impressively get the job done in two sets.

“I just went today and I was like, I will just try my best today, and I will keep it cool with my emotions, just there is no any minutes or seconds to waste it on any negative thoughts. I just went there and I was like, ‘Okay, I will just keep fighting for every ball, and if it will go my way it will go my way,'” Shnaider explained.

“I just will work for it and fight for it. If Coco play better today than me, then she will need to earn it and win me, so it’s like she need to beat me today. I just tried my best to stay focused for every point, and if I have a chance I will go for it. If no, then I knew it was going to be close match, so I was preparing myself for a three-setter today, honestly.”

Diana Shnaider
Diana Shnaider© Getty Images Sport – Vaughn Ridley

Also, Shnaider admitted that she was surprised with how many balls she was able to return to play and actually be better than Gauff in long rallies – something where the American is one of the best on the Tour.

Shnaider on recording her first top-5 win
Even before beating Gauff, Shnaider had several really notable wins in 2024 – the 20-year-old Russian previously had wins over Donna Vekic, Paula Badosa, Emma Navarro and Liudmila Samsonova. But the win over 2023 US Open champion was by far the biggest win for the Russian.

“I think my first top-5 win is like one of the milestones. I had a few matches that I lost in three sets, but they were close, so it was very important for me today. For sure making the quarters of a 1000 event is also a milestone for me. I’m very happy with this season and how the game was today going for me. Coco is a very experienced player, she had a very good season last year on the hard courts events, so, yeah, just great win for me, and I hope I will just keep it up,” Shnaider said.

Diana Shnaider
Diana Shnaider© Getty Images Sport – Vaughn Ridley

By beating Gauff and progressing into the Toronto quarterfinal, Shnaider also ensured a new career-high ranking on Monday. Even if the 20-year-old loses in her next match, she will still be ranked at least at No. 22 on Monday – which would top her previous career-high ranking for one position.

Shnaider will fight against Samsonova for a place in the semifinal of the Canadian WTA 1000 tournament.