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Reuters

Coco Gauff shone on her Australian Open debut on Monday as she knocked Venus Williams out of the first round in a repeat of her stunning victory over the seven-time grand slam champion in the Wimbledon opener last year.
The 15-year-old American sensation, 24 years Williams’ junior and the youngest player in the draw, eased to a 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 win in the clash of generations at Margaret Court Arena, her first main draw appearance as a direct grand slam qualifier.
“I definitely was a lot more confident this time,” Gauff, who beat Williams 6-4, 6-4 at Wimbledon as a qualifier, told reporters.
“I think I was used to playing on big courts, so the crowd – I guess the size of the crowd didn’t startle me as much as last time.”

"I just want to say thank you guys so much. You guys were chanting my name."

We're a friendly bunch #AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/tv4dotDnH9
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2020

Gauff was born the year after Williams lost the 2003 Australian Open final to younger sister Serena. She grew up idolising the Williams sisters, who have shared 30 grand slam trophies between them.
But Gauff is determined to plot her own path to greatness and all respect was put aside as she broke Venus in the opening game and marched to a 5-3 lead in the first set.

“I mean, my mission is to be the greatest. That’s my goal, to win as many Grand Slams as possible.”

- Coco Gauff pic.twitter.com/eqZsvpkU0G
— Talking Tennis (@TalkingTennis_) January 20, 2020

Williams, ranked world number 55 and in the twilight of her career, summoned her two decades of experience at Melbourne Park to break back and force a tiebreak.
In a point-for-point battle, the 39-year-old fought gamely to share the support of the terraces but she ended up gifting the set to her schoolgirl opponent when she struck an overhead smash into the net.
Gauff duly pounced, breaking Williams in the second game of the second set to roar to a 3-0 lead, showcasing her court speed and formidable power for a player of her age.
Serena Williams sweeps past teenager Potapova in Aussie Opener
Pounding down four first serves in succession, Gauff wrapped up the match in style with a drop-shot.
“She played well, like I said,” Williams told reporters.
“Just played very focused and put a lot of balls in the court. That’s what you have to do. She’ll play well the rest of the event.
Play suspended as rain hits Australian Open
“She clearly wants it, works very hard, is extremely mature for her age. I think the sky’s the limit for her.”
Gauff, who reached the fourth round at Wimbledon and the third at the US Open, has already been tipped for grand slam trophies.
“Anybody who doesn’t think she’s going to win a grand slam has to have their head examined,” 18-times grand slam title winner Chris Evert said pre-tournament.

MOOD pic.twitter.com/rcl6nEoUGo
— Coco Gauff (@CocoGauff) January 20, 2020

“She’s got it all ... and she’s going to cause some upsets for sure this tournament, the Australian Open, I predict.”
Gauff will face Romanian Sorana Cirstea, who earlier beat Barbora Strycova 6-2, 7-6 (7-5), for a place in the third round.
Gauff underlined her maturity with thoughtful, confident answers during her post-match media conference but also gave a reminder that she is still only a teenager, admitting she spends too much time on the popular video-sharing app TikTok.
“I procrastinate a lot on that app,” she said. “I have to do homework. I’m still procrastinating on that.”


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Australian Open: Coco Gauff beats Venus Williams in Melbourne

Coco Gauff in action against Venus Williams during their first round match at the Australian Open. Photo: EPA

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epa08094530 An Australian Open 2020 tennis ball sit on a tennis court for a staged photo during an unveiling of an upgrade to the Ken Rosewall Arena at Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre in Sydney, Australia, 30 December 2019. The ATP Cup will start on 03 January 2020 and will feature players from 24 countries going head-to-head in Brisbane, Sydney and Perth, with the knock out stages and final being held in Sydney. EPA-EFE/JAMES GOURLEY AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

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Li Na

Sport

Tennis


The 15-year-old repeats result over elder Williams sister from Wimbledon
Straight sets win for teen on Margaret Court Arena came in first match as a direct grand slam



Coco Gauff beats Venus Williams at Australian Open, repeat of Wimbledon win at Margaret Court Arena


Wimbledon

US Open (tennis)

WTA (Women's Tennis Association)

Australian Open: Coco Gauff beats Venus Williams in Melbourne

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} The 15-year-old repeats result over elder Williams sister from Wimbledon Straight sets win for teen on Margaret Court Arena came in first match as a direct grand slam

The 15-year-old repeats result over elder Williams sister from Wimbledon

Straight sets win for teen on Margaret Court Arena came in first match as a direct grand slam