Coco Gauff has enjoyed a strong campaign at the Australian Open so far, as she continues her pursuit of a third Grand Slam title.
The American booked her place in the fourth round at Melbourne Park by coming back from a set down to defeat compatriot Hailey Baptiste 3-6, 6-0, 6-3.
Gauff did not drop a set in her first two Australian Open matches, earning comfortable wins over Kamilla Rakhimova and Olga Danilovic.
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Still just 21 years of age, the two-time major champion is one of many young stars making impressive runs Down Under.
Both Victoria Mboko and Iva Jovic, 19 and 18, respectively, advanced to round four at the Australian Open.
After beating Baptiste, Gauff had some advice for Mboko and Jovic as they continue their campaigns.
Coco Gauff gives advice to Victoria Mboko and Iva Jovic
“I’ve never played Iva yet,” said Gauff in her post-match press conference.
“Obviously watching all of them play, I think they’re all very talented players. I think they just have the belief that they can be here with the top dogs, and I think that’s kind of the mentality I had when I was younger, just that belief, and belief will take you really far.
“Yeah, it’s great to see them doing well. Yeah, hopefully when I play them, I can win, but if not, it’s okay (smiling).
“I think a couple of your first years on tour are always easiest just because there is no pressure, no points to defend.
“Also, like, scouting-wise there is not many matches for other players to call upon. But yeah, I thought that that was a mentality I had, and then honestly, this year I was, like, I need to get back to that, because it’s actually more factual now than when I was 15 or 16 years old.
“I think that if I had any advice to give anyone, just keep that mentality throughout your whole career, because as you get older, it should be more factual than maybe when you first started.”
Coco Gauff’s next opponent at the Australian Open
Gauff’s next opponent at the Australian Open comes in the form of Karolina Muchova, whom she has faced four times at tour-level events.
Their first meeting came in the 2023 Cincinnati Open final, where Gauff emerged victorious in straight sets.
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Then, the two clashed US Open semifinals later that season, which, once again, went the way of the eventual champion.
Gauff came out on top against Muchova in the 2024 China Open final, and once more at the 2025 United Cup to take a 4-0 lead in the head-to-head.
Now, the two will face each other for just the second time at a Grand Slam, with a place in the quarterfinals up for grabs.
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