American teenager Gauff defied her age yet again, the 15-year-old defeating veteran Williams 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 in her Australian Open main-draw debut at a wet Melbourne Park on Monday.
Gauff produced one of 2019’s most remarkable results when she beat five-time Wimbledon champion and countrywoman Williams in the first round at the All England Club.
And Gauff repeated the feat again as she eliminated the 39-year-old former world number one – who withdrew from the Adelaide International through injury – after one hour, 37 minutes on Margaret Court Arena.
The first-round match was a standout contest after Gauff announced herself at Wimbledon last year.
Gauff raced out to a 2-0 lead against seven-time grand slam champion Williams, who fought back and saved three set points to claim the break back and pull level at 5-5.
Williams battled well to force a tie-break, but Gauff finally closed out the set after the two-time Australian Open runner-up fired a backhand volley into the net.
The 35-minute second set was more straightforward for Gauff, who fired 10 winners to book her spot in the next round against Sorana Cirstea.
STATISTICAL BREAKDOWNCoco Gauff bt Venus Williams 7-6 (7-5) 6-3
WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORSGauff – 17/30Williams – 25/41
ACES/DOUBLE FAULTSGauff – 2/4Williams – 7/6
BREAK POINTS WONGauff – 2/6Williams – 1/2
FIRST SERVE PERCENTAGEGauff – 58Williams – 65
PERCENTAGE OF POINTS WON ON FIRST/SECOND SERVEGauff – 77/61Williams – 77/40
TOTAL POINTSGauff – 78Williams – 68
0 votes
