Melbourne (AFP) – Coco Gauff extended her unbeaten start to the year on Wednesday but had to survive a second-set wobble in a 6-3, 7-5 win over Jodie Burrage at the Australian Open. The American world number three, who ousted former Melbourne champion Sofia Kenin in the first round, overcame the Briton in 1hr 29min to reach the third round. She plays Canada’s 30th seed Leylah Fernandez on Friday for a place in the last 16.
Big-hitting Burrage served for the second set at 5-3, but nerves overcame her in a maiden appearance on Rod Laver Arena, and she double-faulted twice to allow Gauff to level. Burrage’s second-set collapse was completed when her sixth double-fault handed Gauff another break to lead 6-5, and she won on the first match point.
Related news
“It was tough. She was serving really well so I was just trying to manage that,” said Gauff. “She really stepped her level up in the middle of the second set, so I was just trying to be offensive when I could because if I landed anything short she was hitting a winner.” Gauff was suffering on her own delivery, dishing up seven double faults as she was broken three times by the world number 173. “She was returning well so it put pressure on my serve. Next time I need to mix up the targets a bit.”
Gauff stayed in control of other aspects of her game, committing only 18 unforced errors in the match and smacking 14 winners. The 25-year-old Burrage, who is on the comeback trail after missing six months of last year due to wrist surgery and a knee injury, landed 21 winners, 16 off her powerful forehand. Burrage’s first-round win over Leolia Jeanjean of France was her first at a Grand Slam since the 2023 US Open.
Gauff lost in the semi-final to eventual champion Aryna Sabalenka in Melbourne 12 months ago. She has been drawn to meet the Belarusian at the same stage this year as she seeks a second Grand Slam title after winning the US Open in 2023. On current performances, the 20-year-old Gauff must be rated a major contender, having finished 2024 with a flourish by winning the China Open and the season-ending WTA Tour Finals. She took that form to Australia, winning all her singles matches at the United Cup, including beating world number two Iga Swiatek in straight sets.
© 2024 AFP
