Coco Gauff reaches Wimbledon fourth round as the 17-year-old American hotshot eases past Kaja Juvan in straight sets to book a date with former champion Angelique Kerber
- Coco Gauff has booked her place in the fourth round of Wimbledon on Saturday
- The American teenager, 17, defeated Slovenian Kaja Juvan 6-3, 6-3 in SW19
- Gauff matches her effort of two years ago when she burst onto the scene
- The youngster takes on former champion Angelique Kerber in the next round
American teenager Coco Gauff matched her feat of two years ago by reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon.
The 17-year-old swept past Kaja Juvan, the Slovenian world number 102, 6-3 6-3 on Centre Court.
It is hard to fathom that Gauff is still the youngest player in either singles draw, two years after her sparkling debut when she beat Venus Williams on her way to the second week.
Coco Gauff has booked her place in the fourth round at Wimbledon after a dominant win
The 17-year-old defeated Kaja Juvan in straight sets to advance to the next round in SW19
Back then Gauff was ranked 319 in the world. She is now 23 and on this evidence, still heading north.
She is bigger, faster and stronger than those heady days in 2019, but now has to handle the pressure of not being the young upstart but a genuine contender.
Having raced into a 4-0 lead, Gauff suffered a late-set wobble but hit through any nerves by serving it out with devastating power.
Juvan, who took a set off Serena Williams here two years ago, was warming to her task but Gauff saved break points in her first two service games, while crucially snaffling the one she was offered by the Slovenian.
Gauff matches her effort of two years ago when she first burst onto the world scene
The American faces former champion Angelique Kerber next up in South West London
A second break wrapped up the victory and set up a mouthwatering meeting with former champion Angelique Kerber on Monday.
‘I think definitely coming in today I wasn’t as nervous as in my second round,’ said Gauff.
‘It’s a good feeling to be on this court and I’m super honoured the tournament lets me play on here. It’s not often a 17-year-old gets to play here.
‘The goal is to be here in front of you guys next week, but I’ll just take every match as it comes and enjoy it.’