TNT Sports
Australian Open: Coco Gauff surges past error-prone Bernarda Pera in all-American clash to reach last 16
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Published 20/01/2023 at 05:22 GMT
Coco Gauff will be looking to get beyond the fourth round of the Australian Open for the first time in her career. She has sealed her place in the last 16 after beating Bernarda Pera in straight sets. Gauff has now won ten of her last 11 meetings with fellow Americans and is on a six-match winning streak against left-handers. Gauff has won all eight of her matches played in 2023.
'Honestly, she's so refreshing' - Analysis on Gauff's victory at Australian Open
Video credit: TNT Sports
Coco Gauff has progressed to the last 16 of the Australian Open for the second time in her career after a 6-3 6-2 win over compatriot Bernarda Pera in their first ever meeting.
The 2022 French Open finalist was mostly untroubled by her unseeded opponent who made too many unforced errors to make the match on Margaret Court Arena truly competitive.
Gauff, who has not dropped a set in 2023, will play Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko in the fourth round on Sunday.
"It was a really tough match," The 18-year-old said afterwards.
"She hit the ball really hard. I was just trying to hang in there. Last season she had a long match [winning] streak so I knew she'd be a tough player to beat. But I'm happy to be through to the second week."
Pera hit 21 unforced errors in a first set where Gauff got the break she needed in the fourth game, converting her third break point when a loose forehand from Pera saw the six minute game come to an end.
Gauff pressured hard for a double break and also squandered three set points at 5-2 up, but she did take the opening set on her serve at the first time of asking as Pera sliced into the net.
Another forehand error from Pera in the third game of the second set saw Gauff take a 2-1 lead.
Gauff did have to save a break point to consolidate her serve before getting the double break in a lengthy fifth game when Pera swiped her forehand wide.
An uncharacteristic double fault from Gauff ensured Pera got a break back, but Gauff immediately restored her break advantage after Pera crashed a backhand into the net.
Gauff eventually closed out the match on her serve on her fourth match point when Pera fired long.
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Stream the 2023 Australian Open live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.co.uk.
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