American teenager Coco Gauff’s second Grand Slam tournament has ended with a 6-3, 6-0 loss to defending champion Naomi Osaka in the third round of the U.S. Open.
The 15-year-old Gauff has generated all sorts of attention already by making it to the second week at Wimbledon in July and becoming the youngest woman to win two matches at Flushing Meadows since 1996.
But in this much-hyped match under the lights in Arthur Ashe Stadium against the top-seeded Osaka, Gauff often looked exactly like what she still is: an immensely talented player who is still learning her way at tennis’ top level.
She served at up to 119 mph but also double-faulted seven times.
She overcame a slow start to get within 4-3 in the opening set but also then lost the last eight games.
Osaka’s advantages in age — she’s 21 — and experience — she is a two-time major champion — played a role. As did her on-target power, which resulted in a 24-8 edge in winners.
