Coco Gauff is through to the Australian Open Third Round after a straight sets victory over Emma Raducanu.
The American triumphed 6-3 7-6(4) in an eagerly anticipated first meeting between the pair.
Gauff and Raducanu are two of the brightest young talents on the WTA Tour, and gave the crowd flashes of what could blossom into one of the great rivalries over the coming years.
Gauff said ‘it was a good quality match for the most part. This was a long anticipated match-up so I’m glad it was a good match for the crowd. In the beginning, I think we both started off rocky but I think the match was good quality for the most part, considering the circumstances.’
Both players exchanged early breaks in the opening set, before Gauff opened up a 5-2 lead. She saved break points while serving for the set, and took it at the second time of asking.
Raducanu improved her level in the second set, and targeted the American’s forehand, which was fragile throughout. The US Open Champion spurned two opportunities to take the match to a decider before a pumped up Gauff forced a tie-break.
Gauff hung tough in the tie-break, and won the match courtesy of a forehand lob volley which Raducanu couldn’t return back.
The Brit’s preparations for the tournament were disrupted after suffering an ankle injury in the lead up event in Auckland. She said ‘ all the chips were against us, and the chances of me playing this tournament were very, very low.’
She added ‘it was obviously going to be a push to get me on the court. I think 13 days ago if you would have told us, like, hey, you’re going to be in the draw and win a round, it would have been a massive effort for sure.’
Gauff next faces Qinwen Zheng or Bernarda Pera for a place in the round of 16.
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