NEW DELHI: US Open champion Coco Gauff showcased her skill and determination as she advanced to the third round of the Australian Open, defeating fellow American Caroline Dolehide 7-6 (7/2), 6-2.
The fourth seed took control early on Margaret Court Arena, racing to a 4-1 lead before facing a resilient comeback from her unseeded opponent.
Although Dolehide managed to level the score, Gauff remained composed in the tie-break, securing it with a 7-2 victory.
The second set saw games going with serve until the fifth game when Gauff broke, repeating the feat to clinch the match. Despite facing multiple breakpoints on her serve, Gauff successfully fended them off to secure a convincing win.
"I wasn't nervous today, I was just trying to play good tennis," said the 19-year-old Gauff after the match.
Reflecting on her strategy, she noted, "If you give her something short, she's going to punish you for it. So I think if I could go back, I would try to play more deeper, more heavy like I did in the second (set)."
Gauff's next challenge in the third round will be against another American, Alycia Parks.
(With inputs from AFP)
