AUCKLAND: Coco Gauff dominated her preparations for the Australian Open with a commanding 6-3, 6-0 victory against Czech talent Brenda Fruhvirtova at the Auckland Classic on Thursday, securing her spot in the quarter-finals.
Initially facing some challenges, including dropping her first service game and saving two break points, the US Open champion Gauff swiftly gained momentum, proving relentless in the clash between the two teens.
Despite Fruhvirtova, a 16-year-old qualifier, showcasing her prowess by defeating world number 48 Anna Blinkova in the opening round, she struggled in the second set, managing to secure only 10 points in a match that concluded in just 70 minutes.
Reflecting on her performance, Gauff remarked, “She started off strong, but I was able to elevate my game. My serves improved, and I was more effective on the returns,” delivering five aces during the match.
Gauff’s upcoming challenge awaits against eighth seed Varvara Gracheva, currently ranked 42nd globally.
In the opposing bracket, seventh seed Petra Martic of Croatia secured a convincing 6-2, 6-2 victory against China’s Yue Yuan and is set to face the winner between the second seed Elina Svitolina and Emma Raducanu.
Former US Open champion Raducanu, now ranked 301st globally due to an injury sidelining her for the past eight months, aims for a strong return to form.
The Australian Open commences on January 14th.
