In-form Coco ‘learning adulthood’

– Coco Gauff (right) said she was enjoying “learning adulthood” after showing poise and determination to storm into a first Australian Open quarterfinal yesterday.

The 19-year-old fourth seed was again in the zone to race past unseeded Magdalena Frech 6-1, 6-2 in just 63 minutes on Rod Laver Arena as she zeroes in on a second Grand Slam title.

The US Open champion, who had never progressed beyond the fourth round at Melbourne Park in four previous attempts, has been in red-hot form and is yet to drop a set.

She is now on a nine-match win streak following her title run at Auckland and will meet Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk for a place in the semifinals.

Gauff made her Grand Slam debut at Wimbledon as a 15-year-old, and it has been a learning process ever since, guided by her parents.

But she is now starting to take charge of her own destiny, on and off the court.

“As each season goes, I’ve definitely been more vocal about what I want on and off the court,” she said.

“At first, like 15, 16, my parents were doing a lot of it for me just so I could focus on tennis. Now I’m moving into more of the role. I’m getting older, having to make more decisions, all of that, on and off court.

“I think for me, I know myself pretty well. I know what I need to do to succeed, not every single thing. That’s why we have coaches and people that advise me.

With seven of the women’s top 10 seeds knocked out in the first week, Gauff has a clear-cut chance to add to her US Open title, with a potential showdown against defending champion Aryna Sabalenka looming in the semifinals. –