Coco Gauff has joined an elite group after reaching the last 16 at the Australian Open.
The 20-year-old overcame Leylah Fernandez for the second time in almost three weeks to reach the third round.
The American has yet to consistently produce her very best tennis at Melbourne Park, but she has safely reached round four without dropping a set.
Following Friday’s victory, Coco Gauff has joined a special group that includes four of tennis’ greatest players.
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Coco Gauff matches Serena Williams feat at the 2025 Australian Open
Gauff advanced to the second week of a Grand Slam for the 14th time in her career when she defeated Fernandez 6-4, 6-2 at the Australian Open.
She started slowly, especially with the forehand as the third seed committed 13 unforced errors with that shot in the first set.
Several double faults followed, but Fernandez was unable to take advantage and Gauff soon wrapped up the opening set, and played much more solid tennis in the second set to seal the win.
The 2023 US Open winner maintained her unbeaten start to the season by securing her eighth successive win.
She is now just the fifth player to win her first eight matches of the season after Serena Williams, in addition to Steffi Graff, Margaret Court and Monica Seles, all multiple-time Grand Slam winners.
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Who is Coco Gauff’s next opponent?
Gauff has advanced to the fourth round of the Australian Open where she will face Belinda Bencic.
The 27-year-old is into the last 16 at Melbourne Park just nine months after giving birth to her daughter Bella.
This is Bencic’s first Grand Slam since becoming a mother, but she booked the spot in the next round in unfortunate circumstances, as she defeated fellow mother Naomi Osaka after she suffered an injury.
Following the condition of the first set which Bencic won on a tiebreak, Osaka, who called a medical timeout earlier in the set, decided she could no longer continue and Bencic advanced.
Gauff and the Tokyo Olympics gold medalist have played just twice before, and they have one win apiece.
It will be interesting to see who will edge ahead in their head-to-head-rivalry when Gauff and Bencic square off to battle for a spot in the Australian Open quarter-finals.
