Clutch Gauff beats Muchova to reach Australian Open quarter-finals again – Tennis Now
Coco Gauff found herself in a tense third set against Czech craftsman Karolina Muchova for the first of five meetings between the pair, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.
True to form, the 21-year-old American showed composure as he notched his 21st career three-set victory at a Grand Slam event, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3.
Gauff improved to 21-6 in three sets at majors and reached her third consecutive Australian Open quarterfinals. Her overall record in Melbourne is 20-6.
“I’m not tired yet,” Goff said. “I’m 21, maybe that’s why.”
Not only that.
Gauff’s ability to stay calm and focused on the task at hand has always been with her, and it was true again today as she fought hard in the final set to seize her opportunity to break serve at 3-1 before saving a break point to make it 5-2. She held her serve after two games and won in one hour and fifty-nine minutes.
“I thought it was great today, maybe a loose serve in the second set,” Gauff said. “But after that, it was pretty good, but I’m glad I was able to turn it off on my racket.”
A crisp backhand duel gave Gauff her fourth match point in a dangerous final that was tied at three draws.
“Her backhand is always dependable,” said Chris Evert of the matchup for ESPN. “No matter the pressure, she was always there.”
Gauff will face either Milla Andreeva or Elena Svitolina in the quarterfinals. Three other American women – Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys and Amanda Anisimova – will compete in the quarterfinals on Day 9 in Melbourne.
Gauff improved her overall record to 5-0 against Muchova, and every time she defeated Muchova in the past, she ended up winning the championship.
