Oh, what a show Coco!
15-year-old wins Centre Court thriller
THE schoolgirl sensation who has captured the nation’s hearts at Wimbledon put in an astonishing display last night to secure her place in the fourth round of the Championships.
Coco Gauff, 15 – who defeated Venus Williams in straight sets at the start of the week – continued her historic run with a passionate performance that kept the Centre Court crowd on the edge of their seats for almost three hours.
Last night the American was taking on Slovenia’s Polona Hercog, who is world number 60 and almost twice her age at 28. In a fiercely fought three sets, things did not look good for the teenager when she lost the first set and was within one game of going out in the second set, facing two match points.
But she made a strong comeback, eventually winning 3-6, 7-6 (9-7), 7-5 in a tense two hours and 47 minutes.
The packed show court – as well as the Royal Box – erupted in applause as the rising star, who had made history by becoming the youngest- ever player to qualify for the main draw in the Open Era, won.
Coco, who was watched by Spice Girl Geri Horner and Killing Eve screenwriter Phoebe Waller-Bridge, dropped her racket and jumped in the air in disbelief. Her parents Candi and Corey, who had anxiously watched from the players’ box, could hardly contain themselves as they hugged each other in celebration.
The teenager, whose victory means she will earn at least £176,000 from the tournament, said she didn’t know what she would spend it on.
‘I can’t buy a car because I can’t drive,’ she said. ‘I don’t like spending money. I think I will buy more hoodies.’
In the next round she will face Romanian Simona Halep, 27, who is world number seven. Coco is the youngest player to reach the fourth round in almost 30 years, since Jennifer Capriati in 1991.