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'Grounded' Gauff extends red-hot run to reach Melbourne last 16 / Photo: © AFP
'Grounded' Gauff extends red-hot run to reach Melbourne last 16
Coco Gauff said she just wanted to enjoy the ride after an eighth straight-sets win this season propelled her into the Australian Open last 16 on Friday.
The American world number three and one of the favourites for the Melbourne title swept past 30th seed Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 6-2.
Gauff is the highest-paid woman athlete in the world at just 20 years old, according to Forbes magazine.
Despite her wealth and fame she said she was determined to stay humble.
"I grew up in the church. I think when you just grow up in the community like that you have no choice but to keep your grounding," Gauff said.
"Tennis feels so high stakes, but it's really not.
"I'm so lucky to be able to do what I do, also get paid while doing it and also be able to use that platform to give back to others.
"I'm very grateful."
The 2023 US Open champion lost to Aryna Sabalenka in the Australian Open semi-final last year, her best Melbourne Park performance to date.
She is drawn to meet the world number one and double defending champion at the same stage this year and is right at the top of her game.
"I just realise that this time is going to go by so fast," said Gauff, who next faces unseeded Belinda Bencic.
"Hopefully, it doesn't feel like it in the moment, but I’m sure 20 years from now I'll be like: 'Dang! Sometimes I wish I could go back.
"So I'm just trying to enjoy it while I'm here."
World number 29 Fernandez, the losing finalist in the 2021 US Open, was in the third round in Melbourne for the first time and found the precision of Gauff hard to handle.
The American, who starred for her country at the United Cup before coming to Melbourne, stepped on the gas midway through the first set, breaking Fernandez to love.
A double break at the start of the second put Gauff in control, but serving at 3-0 she coughed up a pair of double faults to allow Fernandez a break back and a lifeline.
If Fernandez sensed a door opening, then Gauff immediately slammed it shut, breaking again for 4-1.
Serving for the match at 5-2, Gauff unleashed two searing backhand winners -- one down the line and one across court -- and sealed victory with an unreturnable lob in 1hr 16min.
Z.Ryu--SG
