Coco takes Melbourne by storm

COCOMANIA arrived Down Under yesterday as Coco Gauff beat Venus Williams in another generation game at a Grand Slam. And the 15-year-old star then declared her mission was to win the Australian Open title and become the best player in the world. Wimbledon’s youngest-ever qualifier shot to worldwide fame last summer by knocking out the seven-time Grand Slam champion in the first round at SW19.

And under the roof at the Margaret Court Arena yesterday, Gauff was victorious again as she eliminated the 39-year-old 7-6, 6-3 in the match between the oldest and youngest players in the tournament.

Gauff thanked the crowd for their support and said: “You guys were chanting my name and I thought that would only happen at the US Open so for you guys to do it here means a lot to me. I look up to Venus and Serena. Even though they’re my idols, they’re also going to be my opponents sometimes. I have to remember that. ”

World No 67 Gauff is restricted to playing only three events this year before she turns 16 in March. But the US Open wildcard has big long-term plans.

“My mission is to be the greatest,” she said. “My goal is to win as many Grand Slams as possible.

Do I believe I can win the tournament? To answer that – I respect everyone’s game and I respect my opponent, but if I’m going to go against them, I can’t say: ‘I’m going to lose this match.’ That’s not the right mentality to have.

“I believe I can beat anyone. If it happens, I don’t know. But that’s almost every player’s mentality. The great ones don’t fear anyone.”

World No1Ash Barty survived dropping the first set – and a leaky roof on the Rod Laver Arena – to beat Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko 5-7, 6-1, 6-1.

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI postponed her retirement for at least another couple of days by beating Kristie Ahn 6-1, 6-3.

The 2018 champion, who will quit once her tournament is over, said:

“There’s just a lot of emotions but I tried to keep them in check, and I thought I did that very well today.

“I think I’m just really trying to enjoy every moment.

“You never know – it’s still two weeks from now. But every match you go out there, I’m just going to give it everything that I have because it could be the last.”

WORST kit of the day went to ❑

Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov, left, for his horrendous multi-coloured number from Nike.