(CNN) Under normal circumstances, Coco Gauff wouldn't have made the main draw at this week's tournament in Linz, Austria.

But after getting a bit of luck, the 15-year-old has taken full advantage to become the WTA's youngest tennis finalist since Nicole Vaidisova in 2004 after beating Andrea Petkovic 6-4 6-4 Saturday.

Gauff became a crowd favorite and household name at Wimbledon in July when she qualified, then beat one of her idols, Venus Williams, as part of a weeklong stay at tennis' most prestigious grand slam. She showed poise well above her teenaged years.

Gauff was congratulated by the likes of former first lady Michelle Obama and actor and musician Jaden Smith, the son of Will Smith.

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Then as a wildcard at her home major, the US Open in August, it took the defending champion, Naomi Osaka, to stop the Florida resident in the third round.

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