Coco Gauff’s Unstoppable Streak Continues at the Australian Open
In the world of tennis, few stories are as captivating as the rise of Coco Gauff. The young American sensation has been making waves on the court, and her latest performance at the Australian Open is no exception. On a bright Wednesday morning in Melbourne, Gauff extended her unbeaten start to 2025 to an impressive seven matches and 14 sets. Her latest victory came against the 173rd-ranked Jodie Burrage of Britain, with a scoreline of 6-3, 7-5, in the iconic Rod Laver Arena.
Gauff, who clinched the 2023 U.S. Open title and reached the semifinals at Melbourne Park just last year, faced a bit of turbulence in the second set. It was a moment that had fans on the edge of their seats as she struggled with double-faults, allowing Burrage to snatch four consecutive games. This shift saw Gauff go from a break up at 3-1 to a break down at 5-3. But just when it seemed like Burrage might push the match to a third set, Gauff regained her composure. She launched a four-game streak of her own to seal the match, showcasing her resilience and determination.
Reflecting on the match, the No. 3-seeded Gauff shared, “It was tough. She was serving really well, so I was just trying to manage that, honestly. She really stepped her level up in the middle of the second set, so I was just trying to be offensive when I could.”
Despite the hiccup in the second set, where she hit six of her seven double-faults, Gauff’s baseline game remained solid. She finished the 1 1/2-hour match with just 11 groundstroke unforced errors, a stark contrast to Burrage’s 37. Burrage’s final two service games were marred by double-faults, including two consecutive ones that handed Gauff a 6-5 lead. From there, Gauff didn’t look back, closing out the match with precision.
Gauff’s focus on improving her serve and forehand has been evident since late last season, and it’s paying dividends. “She was returning well, so it put pressure on me on my serve,” Gauff noted. “If I landed anything short, she was landing a winner.”
Her current winning streak is a testament to her hard work and talent. It includes four consecutive victories at the WTA Finals in November, where she defeated top-ranked players like No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and No. 2 Iga Swiatek in straight sets. This brings her winning streak to an impressive 11 matches.
Looking ahead, Gauff’s next challenge at the Australian Open is against No. 30 Leylah Fernandez. The two have faced off before, with Gauff emerging victorious at the United Cup team competition. Fernandez, known for her tenacity, was the runner-up to Emma Raducanu at the 2021 U.S. Open. She showcased her fighting spirit once again by coming back to defeat Cristina Bucsa 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 on Wednesday.
- Gauff’s unbeaten start to 2025: 7 matches, 14 sets
- Victory over Jodie Burrage: 6-3, 7-5
- Next opponent: Leylah Fernandez
- Winning streak: 11 matches
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Gauff to see if she can maintain her momentum and continue her winning ways. With her current form, she is undoubtedly one of the favorites to go deep into the tournament. Tennis fans around the world are eagerly watching, hoping to witness more of Gauff’s magic on the court.
Originally Written by: Jake MichaelsJake MichaelsNicholas SomAssociated PressESPN staff
