Coco Gauff easily moved to the third round of the US Open with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva on Wednesday.
After finding it difficult to defeat German Laura Siegemund in three sets in the first round, the sixth-seeded American approached the net 18 times, winning 15 of those points, in her second straight encounter in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Gauff stated in her interview while on the court, “I learned to be aggressive,” “I did well making her play off her back foot.”
Andreeva, the tournament’s youngest female competitor at 16 years old, lost to Gauff in Paris as well as the third round of the French Open and Wimbledon.
Gauff concluded by paying her a huge compliment: “I really see myself in her.”
Even while Andreeva frequently went after that side, which Gauff has referred to as the old “playbook” against her, Gauff’s serve was on point and her forehand was capable of handling the scenario. Gauff excelled on long groundstroke back-and-forths, mostly from the baseline.
Even while Andreeva frequently went after that side, which Gauff referred to as the old “playbook” against her, Gauff’s serve was on point and her forehand was capable of handling the situation. Gauff excelled on lengthy groundstroke back-and-forths, mostly from the baseline.
In 20 points that lasted nine shots or more and up to 30 shots, she prevailed in 14 of those 20 instances. Gauff amassed a 24-7 win edge overall.
“Playing a younger person just reminded me how far I have come,” she said.
The 32nd-seeded Elise Mertens of Belgium will be opponent for Gauff, 19, after she defeated American Danielle Collins 3-6, 7-6 (9), 6-1.
Iga Swiatek, the top seed and defending champion in the women’s draw, defeated Australian Daria Saville, who was rated 322nd, 6-3, 6-4, in Louis Armstrong Stadium. Swiatek has never suffered a major defeat at the hands of an outsider to the top 100.
The Polish player Magdalena Frech was defeated by the tenth-seeded Karolina Muchova 6-3, 6-3, and the Swiss player Belinda Bencic defeated British qualifier Yuriko Lily Miyazaki. 6-3, 6-3.
Victoria Azarenka, a two-time Grand Slam winner, was defeated by Lin Zhu of China in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3, and fourth-seeded Elena Rybakina went on to the third round through walkover after Australian Ajla Tomljanovic withdrew due to a knee injury before the match.
American Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil was defeated by Taylor Townsend in two straight sets, 7-6 (1) and 7-5.
In the night session on Ashe, Caroline Wozniacki will compete against Petra Kvitova, the 11th-seeded player.
