Security forced to intervene as children waited for autographs BEFORE Coco Gauff lost her US Open match

Coco Gauff was off her game when she was knocked out of the US Open by Emma Navarro.

Even the kids in the audience knew she was going to lose because they started lining up for autographs before the match even ended.

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Several children were seen rushing to the front of the stands as Gauff served to stay in the match at 5-3 in the third set.

They were laden with their giant tennis balls trying to get a prime position for a coveted autograph.

Defending US Open champion Gauff looked frustrated as she walked away from the service line as security stepped in to tell the children to return to their seats.

Gauff was bidding to become the first woman to retain her crown at Flushing Meadows since Serena Williams in 2014 but succumbed to a 6-2 4-6 6-3 defeat to Navarro.

Gauff was off the pace for much of the tournament and was eliminated at the first sign of real competition.

She was not helped by the disappearance of her serve, with the 2023 champion committing 19 double faults and 60 unforced errors.

Gauff has had a difficult few months on the court, but he called for a step back.

“It’s not the summer I want,” she said. “I feel like there are 70 other players in the draw who would love to have the summer I had, even though it’s probably the worst summer I’ve had at this time of year.

“A lot of people want to be in the fourth round. A lot of people want to be in the Olympics. A lot of people want to be the flag bearer. It’s a matter of perspective.”

“Obviously, because I want to reach a different level, it’s disappointing, but I’m not going to beat myself up and say it was really bad.

“Yes, I expected better, but in the end it happened and I know I can turn it around.”

His 23-year-old opponent is having the best season of his career and his place in the quarter-finals at the US Open is his best result so far.

Navarro said: “It’s pretty crazy. I lost in the first round the last two years and now to reach the quarter-finals is pretty crazy.

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“This is the city where I was born and it’s such a special feeling to play here.

“Coco is an incredible player. I have a lot of respect for her and I know she will come back here and win again.”

It looks like last year’s US Open finalist Aryna Sabalenka is in fine form and the woman to beat as she attempts to go one better.

A victory in Flushing would be the Belarusian’s third Grand Slam.