Coco Gauff is continuing her impressive run at the Australian Open, maintaining her perfect record this season after a convincing 6-4, 6-2 victory over Canada’s Leylah Fernandez. This match, held on Friday night in Melbourne, marked Gauff’s entry into the fourth round, and she remains unbeaten, having not lost a set throughout the tournament.
As Gauff advances, many of the top contenders in the women’s draw have also made their way through the early rounds with relative ease. Among them are No. 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka, the two-time defending champion, and No. 3 Gauff herself, alongside No. 11 Paula Badosa and No. 14 Mirra Andreeva, all of whom secured victories on the same day. In contrast, No. 7 seed Jessica Pegula faced an unexpected defeat from world No. 55 Olga Danilovic, who dominated with a 7-6 (3), 6-1 win.
Former champion Naomi Osaka had to retire early from her match against Belinda Bencic due to an abdominal strain after losing the first set.
On the men’s side, significant wins were also recorded. Notable players such as No. 2 Alexander Zverev, No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz, and No. 7 Novak Djokovic all progressed without major issues. Djokovic, who has previously claimed 10 Australian Open titles, overcame a brief mid-match scare to defeat No. 26 Tomas Machac 6-1, 6-4, 6-4.
Meanwhile, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina made headlines with a remarkable comeback from two sets down to defeat Jakub Mensik, achieving a feat not seen since 2005. “I had decided this year to fight every point,” he said, reflecting on his determination.
For Gauff, the match against Fernandez was particularly significant, as it was her second win over the fellow left-hander recently. With an 8-0 record and having not dropped a set this season, Gauff seems poised for success. She has also been working on her game by tweaking her coaching staff and her mechanics to enhance her performance, especially after falling short in her Grand Slam pursuits last year.
The tournament remains competitive as top players are set to meet in the following rounds, including a potential semifinal clash between Gauff and Sabalenka, should both continue their winning streaks.
Gauff’s mindset reflects a mature understanding of the sport, as she emphasizes the importance of enjoying the journey and not taking her experiences for granted. Her focus and determination, combined with her undeniable talent, could see her capture her second major title in the coming matches.
The excitement continues to build in Melbourne, as fans anticipate what is sure to be a thrilling continuation of the Australian Open.