Coco Gauff Overcomes Early Struggles to Advance to Australian Open Quarterfinals

On a sun-soaked afternoon in Melbourne, Coco Gauff’s consecutive-set winning streak came to an end, but her pursuit of a second Grand Slam title stayed alive. In a dramatic fourth-round match at Rod Laver Arena on Sunday, the tournament’s No. 3 seed rallied to defeat Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 and advance to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open.

The 20-year-old American, who captured her maiden Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open, came into the match with a dominant streak, having won all 16 sets she played this year and 24 of her last 25 dating back to the end of the previous season, which included her victory at the WTA Finals. However, Gauff struggled in the first set, plagued by unforced errors and nine double faults under the oppressive 90-degree heat.

Gauff’s early struggles were compounded by Bencic’s powerful ball striking, as the Swiss player broke the American’s serve twice late in the opening set. Gauff, visibly frustrated, frequently gestured toward her coaching box in search of answers as her shots landed wide, long, or into the net. By the time Bencic closed out the set, Gauff had accumulated 20 unforced errors and looked out of sorts.

Despite Bencic’s current world ranking of No. 294 due to her recent return from maternity leave, the 27-year-old showcased the form that once propelled her to a career-high ranking of No. 4. With previous hard-court successes, including a singles gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics and a 2019 US Open semifinal appearance, Bencic appeared poised for an upset.

After the hour-long first set, Gauff recalibrated. She dramatically reduced her unforced errors, cutting them in half in the second set, while showcasing the aggressive baseline play and pinpoint accuracy that have become her trademarks. The Floridian dominated the set with a 17-2 advantage in winners, using sharp returns and relentless energy to dictate play.

The momentum fully shifted as Gauff broke Bencic early in the second set and never looked back. By the third set, Gauff was in complete control, hitting reflex volleys and confidently motioning to the crowd for support. Her composure and tactical adjustments allowed her to close out the match in style, securing a decisive third-set victory.

While Bencic’s ranking might not reflect her abilities, her performance highlighted the challenges she can pose on hard courts. Having reached the fourth round at the Australian Open twice before—losing to Maria Sharapova in 2016 and Aryna Sabalenka in 2022—Bencic’s experience and ball-striking skills pushed Gauff to her limits in the early stages. However, she remains winless in Melbourne’s Round of 16.

With the victory, Gauff advances to the quarterfinals, where she will face No. 11 seed Paula Badosa. The Spaniard earned her spot in the final eight with a 6-1, 7-6 (2) victory over Olga Danilovic. This marks Badosa’s first quarterfinal appearance at the Australian Open, setting the stage for an intriguing matchup on Tuesday.

As Gauff continues her quest for a second Grand Slam title, her resilience and ability to overcome adversity will remain key. The Florida native’s comeback against Bencic underscores her growing maturity and confidence, traits that will serve her well as the tournament progresses. Fans around the world will eagerly watch as she takes the next step in her journey toward Australian Open glory.

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