Coco Gauff’s impressive journey continued at the Australian Open, as she overcame a tough start to secure a comeback victory against Belinda Bencic with scores of 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 in the fourth round. The 20-year-old from Florida, who previously won the U.S. Open in 2023, saw her once-unbroken streak of consecutive sets end but displayed remarkable resilience, rallying to win the last five games of the match.
After her victory, Gauff took a moment to connect with fans in a unique way, drawing a broken heart on a TV camera lens while referencing the ban of TikTok in the United States. During the match, the steamy conditions at Rod Laver Arena proved challenging, with temperatures soaring to around 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 Celsius). Gauff initially struggled, accumulating 20 unforced errors in the first set as she grappled with her shot accuracy against Bencic, who, despite her current ranking of No. 294, is an accomplished player.
However, the tide turned in the second set as Gauff adjusted her strategy, significantly reducing her unforced errors and dominating with an impressive 17-2 advantage in winners. “I just played more aggressively in the second set,” Gauff explained, reflecting on her performance. By the end of the match, she had regained total control, showing renewed confidence as she engaged with the crowd.
Looking ahead, Gauff will face No. 11 seed Paula Badosa in the quarterfinals, a significant step in her pursuit of a second Grand Slam title. Badosa advanced after a straight-sets victory over Olga Danilovic. The winner of this match will be set to meet either the No. 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka, who is aiming for her third consecutive title at the Australian Open, or No. 27 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
Other notable matches in the men’s draw included Novak Djokovic facing Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev taking on Tommy Paul, showcasing a thrilling lineup as the tournament progresses.
Gauff’s impressive resolve and readiness for the upcoming challenges reflect her growth as a player, and there’s a palpable excitement surrounding her journey in the tournament. This could very well become a defining moment in her career as she continues to pursue her goals on the court.