Gauff builds on upset, tops Rybarikova
U.S. teen to meet Slovenia’s Hercog in third-round clash
WIMBLEDON, England — In many ways, Coco Gauff is like any other 15-year-old American, watching whatever videos Youtube recommends, from makeup tutorials to clips that’ll make her laugh.
And then there is what happens when Gauff takes hold of a tennis racket, making her unlike most anyone else in the world. With big shots and a calm beyond her years, she followed her upset of Venus Williams by moving into the third round at Wimbledon on Wednesday night via a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Magdalena Rybarikova of Slovakia under a closed roof at No. 1 Court.
“It just shows if you really work hard, you can get where you want to go,” said Gauff, who received a wild-card invitation for the qualifying competition, then became the youngest player in the professional era to get through those pre-tournament rounds and reach the main draw. “Last week around this time, I didn’t know I was coming here. It just shows you have to be ready for everything.”
She certainly has looked ready. Hasn’t dropped a set yet.
Might be time to start picking on some opponents her own age.
After eliminating Williams, 39 — who won four of her seven Grand Slam titles before Gauff was born — she needed less than 70 minutes to get past Rybarikova, 30. Gauff didn’t face a break point and again played cleanly, this time with only 10 unforced errors.
The toughest part for Gauff might have been dealing with everything on the periphery that came with that win over Williams.
“I could lie and say I felt normal,” said Gauff, who lives in Florida.
“It was honestly so hard, just with social media and everything, trying to focus on my next match, because people are still posting about Venus.”
There were direct messages via social media from “a lot of celebrities,” including some TV actresses, Gauff said.
“I’m kind of star-struck,” she said. “It’s been hard to reset.”