MELBOURNE (Australia): Prodigy Coco Gauff advanced into the Australian Open third round to set up a clash with reigning champion Naomi Osaka.
The American teenager, playing just her third Grand Slam and her first at Melbourne, celebrated wildly after defeating Romania’s Sorana Cirstea 4-6, 6-3, 7-5.
Japan’s Osaka, 22, defeated the fast-rising Gauff in straight sets in the third round of last year’s US Open in their only previous match.
“It was emotional,” said Gauff, ranked 67 in the world.
The 15-year-old stunned seven-time Grand Slam-winner Venus Williams in the first round, repeating her victory over the veteran American on her Major debut last year at Wimbledon.
Gauff reached the fourth round at Wimbledon, where she lost to eventual champion Simona Halep.
“I never thought I would have so many people supporting me,” she added.
Of her showdown Osaka, Gauff said, “She’s a great competitor so I think it’s going to be a good match.”
The nerveless Gauff was two points from defeat in the deciding set against 74th-ranked Cirstea.
But the fearless teenager hung in and grabbed the crucial break in the 11th game, pumping her fists after burying a ferocious overhead smash.
“Just my will to win and especially the crowd,” she said. “My parents always told me you can always come back — no matter what the score is.”
Osaka advances
Meanwhile, Osaka defeated China’s 42nd-ranked Zheng Saisai 6-2, 6-4.
But there was a flash of temper from Osaka when Zheng broke early in the second set, throwing her racquet to the floor, then giving it a kick for good measure.
She also threw down a ball and tossed the racquet down again as she slumped to her chair, covering her head with her towel.
“I just wanted to fight. I’ve been in this position before on this court (a break down in the second set) and I was thinking that I really don’t want to play a third set this time,” Osaka said.
