All Gauff things

‘‘I didn’t win a tennis match; it’s not the end of the world.’’

No 1 seed Ash Barty after her defeat

Out of escapes, out of surprises, Coco Gauff knew her captivating Wimbledon ride at age 15 was nearing its conclusion.

The thousands of spectators at Court No 1 yesterday realised it, too, so they made sure to show their appreciation for the youngest qualifier at the All England Club in the professional era and youngest week two participant since 1991.

Fans, most of whom probably hadn’t heard of Gauff until last week, rose and roared as she fended off the initial two match points she faced against 2018 French Open champion Simona Halep. It was reminiscent of the way the Gauff began a comeback victory in her previous match. This time, though, Gauff could not come through, beaten by the more experienced Halep 6-3 6-3.

‘‘It was really surprising, because you don’t really expect this kind of support when you’re in another country, not your home country. I really did feel like I was probably playing in New York. I’m just really happy that people believe in me,’’ said Gauff, who beat Venus Williams in the first round for quite a grand slam tournament debut.

‘‘I wasn’t feeling my best, I wasn’t playing my best,’’ Gauff said as she wiped away tears at her news conference, where she noted she wasn’t sure why she needed a visit from a doctor in the second set, ‘‘but they were still supporting me, no matter what.’’

While Gauff couldn’t get past former No 1 Halep, another American, 55th-ranked Alison Riske, stopped the 15-match winning streak of the current No 1, Ash Barty, eliminating her 3-6 6-2 6-3.‘‘Right now, Ash is playing well,’’ Riske said. ‘‘I believe that I am, as well.’’

That’s certainly true. She improved to 14-1 on grass courts this season and reached the first major quarterfinal of her career in 30 appearances.

Barty began perfectly, winning the first game of the match with four straight aces. She hit another pair of aces in her next service game and finished with 12. But Riske simply played so cleanly, delivering twice as many winners as unforced errors, 30-15, and won her fourth consecutive three-setter in the tournament.

Riske will next face Serena Williams, who advanced to the Wimbledon quarterfinals for the 14th time, beating Carla Suarez Navarro 6-2 6-2.

‘‘There aren’t many holes in her game, full-stop,’’ said Barty, who followed up her first grand slam championship at Roland Garros last month by grabbing a title at a grass-court tune-up tournament