Coco Gauff rallied for a win on Friday night over No. 32 Elise Mertens, securing her spot in the Round of 16 for the third time in a major this year.
But in case that wasn’t motivation enough, someone in the crowd gave her an even bigger “Purpose” to win — pop star Justin Bieber.
“Oh yeah, I definitely saw who was there,” Gauff said on the ESPN broadcast after her third-round win. “I thought I cannot lose in front of Justin Bieber. I didn’t lose a game after I saw that.
“I got a little tight when I first saw him, then I remembered President Obama and Michelle Obama were at my first round match.”
Both Justin and Hailey Bieber attended the U.S. Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday night, and unlike their mismatched attire at Hailey Bieber’s Rhode x Krispy Kreme collaboration earlier this week, this time, they seemed to be dressed for the same event.
The power couple was seen sitting with rising American tennis star Frances Tiafoe, who earned his own spot in the Round of 16 earlier in the night after rallying to beat Adrian Mannarino 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-6 (8-6).
The “Intentions” singer was seen laughing alongside Tiafoe and even dapped him up while watching the match.
The pair was also seen in the stands with Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler, whom Gauff — a Florida native — has befriended.
The trio watched and even stood in applause to support Gauff, who came back for the win from wayward shots, struggling serves and a dropped first set.
Gauff won the last 10 games for a 3-6, 6-3, 6-0 victory over Mertens to reach the fourth round at Flushing Meadows.
“The energy today definitely helped me. I felt you guys,” Gauff said. “I played every point my hardest.”
It was a star-studded night at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
In addition to the Bieber Fever, Gauff also performed in front of Michael Imperioli of “The White Lotus” and “The Sopranos,” and three-time Grand Slam doubles champion Jack Sock, her mixed doubles partner.
