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How Coco Gauff Is Cementing Her Status as a Top Tennis Player Following Her Latest Title with the U.S

Coco Gauff cemented her place as one of tennis’ most exciting young stars as she led the United States to victory in the 2025 United Cup in Sydney, playing a key role in clinching the title. The 20-year-old world number three delivered a clinical performance over Iga Świątek in the opening women’s singles match, setting the tone for a thrilling final.

Gauff’s 6-4, 6-4 triumph over Świątek was not just a crucial win for the U.S. but also a testament to her remarkable rise in the sport. This victory marked her second consecutive win over the Polish star, having also defeated her in the WTA Finals in Riyadh just two months ago. Świątek, struggling with a recurring thigh injury, called for a medical timeout at 5-4 down in the second set. However, the injury plagued her throughout the match, and she ultimately left the court in tears, visibly distressed by the loss.

After the match, Gauff reflected on her growing belief in her ability to compete at the highest level. “I think I have the belief that I am one of the best players in the world. When I play good tennis, it’s hard for me to be beaten,” she said, a comment that spoke volumes about her confidence and her ability to rise to the occasion.

Not only did Gauff remain undefeated in singles and doubles throughout the event, but her composure under pressure was evident as she helped her team secure the first point of the final. “Today I think I played great tennis, and I’m happy to get a point for my team on the board,” Gauff added. “It was tough today. I’m not gonna lie.”

Her performance was a far cry from the vulnerability we sometimes see in younger players. Gauff has now firmly established herself as one of the top players in the game, and her ability to handle such pressure, especially in a team event like the United Cup, demonstrates her maturity.

Coco Gauff

After Gauff’s victory, it was up to Taylor Fritz to seal the deal for the U.S. in the men’s singles, and while the task seemed monumental, Fritz rose to the occasion. His 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (7-4) win over Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz wrapped up the title for the U.S. with a tense third-set tie-break. Fritz dug deep when it mattered most, especially at 3-3 in the tie-break, hitting clutch shots to help the Americans secure a 2-0 win in the final.

The win marked a back-to-back United Cup title for the United States, adding another chapter to their dominance in this mixed team event. While Fritz’s triumph was certainly notable, it was Gauff’s clinical and dominant play that set the foundation for the U.S. victory.

Writer’s Comments:

Coco Gauff’s rapid rise to prominence is not just an exciting story for American tennis; it is an inspiring narrative for the entire tennis world. From a teenager thrust into the spotlight, Gauff has blossomed into a player whose talent is now matched by her mental fortitude. Her win over Świątek at the United Cup, a player she now has a winning record against, speaks volumes about Gauff’s readiness to challenge the very best in the sport.

It’s not just about the victories she’s racking up—it’s about the way she plays the game. Gauff’s demeanor on court, her calm in the face of pressure, and her belief in her abilities make her one of the most intriguing players to watch as she heads into the Australian Open. If this performance is anything to go by, Gauff is not just a future star; she is one of the best players in the world right now, and her future is brighter than ever.

The inaugural season of the groundbreaking Unrivaled women’s basketball league is off to a hot start, with games delivering some high-paced action for the fans.

Because of it’s success, several top athletes from around the sports world have pulled up to Miami to catch a live game.

Among them was American tennis star Coco Gauff, who was an early investor in the league.

Gauff was spotted courtside on the broadcast and gave an interview during the game to highlight the energetic atmosphere and quality of the venue.

After the game, Gauff was kicking it with some WNBA stars like Aaliyah Boston, who shared a photo on social media. Gaff looked stunning in a two-piece denim fit showing off her abs.

That is how you rock the denim.

The No. 3-ranked Gauff recently played in the Australian Open in Melbourne before falling to Paula Badosa of Spain in the quarterfinals.

The Unrivaled season continues on Saturday with a full slate of games before wrapping up Week 3 on Monday night in primetime.

Coco Gauff Details Her Stalking Horror Following American Olympic Gold Medalist’s Bone-Chilling Account

In sports, fame is an inevitable part of a player’s journey. Once an individual’s name shoots to success, there’s no looking back. With enormous popularity, however, comes the risk of harassment – online or offline. One doesn’t even need to go back in time to look for examples. WNBA star from Indian Fever Caitlin Clark faced a harrowing incident this year itself – in early January. A 55-year-old man was charged with stalking after he was arrested. And on Thursday, Olympic Gold medalist Gabby Thomas revealed she was being followed by a group of men. It drew a reaction from compatriot and tennis star Coco Gauff, who recalled her own disturbing instances.

For the unversed, track and field athlete Gabby Thomas took to her TikTok and posted a video, dated January 30. Asking her followers for advice on what she should do in such cases, she reported that several men had been approaching her to sign stacks of photos at different airports. No matter where she goes, they follow her while asking for signatures. “It doesn’t matter what city,” she said as reported by NBC News on Thursday. “They’ve come when I was traveling to and from Chicago, they’ve come when I’m traveling to and from Miami. And they have my flight information.”

She also mentioned that she didn’t feel safe on most occasions while coming across these men. Especially while traveling alone. “What scares me is that they have my flight information even when I don’t even know what time I’m flying out sometimes — I don’t tell anyone my flight information,” she added. It didn’t take long for her close friend and 2023 US Open winner Coco Gauff to comment on Thomas’ TikTok video. “This happens to me too, I don’t know how it happens,” she wrote as reported by NBC News. Trying to give a possible explanation behind such instances she added, “My theory is maybe someone at the airport tips them off.”

However, stalking at airports isn’t the only scary thing to have happened to the 2024 WTA Finals winner. Even before she shot to fame with her title win at the Flushing Meadows, the 20-year-old had experienced a disturbing incident.

Coco Gauff 

When Coco Gauff and her family had to take help from police

Back in July 2019, Coco Gauff became a huge sensation after she pulled off an incredible win against Venus Williams. At Wimbledon, Gauff faced the seven-time Major champion in the first round and eventually beat her 6-4, 6-4 in straight sets. It was perhaps the biggest upset of the event that time. As a result, a young Gauff was catapulted into the limelight, becoming a household name. But she soon came to realize the downsides of being popular. How, you wonder?

Talking to Teen Vogue, in August 2019, a 15-year-old Coco Gauff mentioned that she was followed by a car. She was traveling with her parents. The situation got so intense that they had to eventually stop their car and report to a police station. “We’ve just kind of been making sure we change our schedule every day so no one, like, I don’t know, figures out what we do. My dad’s crazy, so I think we’ll be OK,” she said.

But that instance didn’t deter her motivation to become a successful player. She knows that popularity and attention comes naturally when you reach a certain level. Previously, she didn’t witness such moments but now “I have people, like, stopping me on the street and everything,” while implying that “I guess it’s a plus.” Well that’s the spirit of a great player, isn’t it? One should always focus on the brighter side.

How Coco Gauff Is Cementing Her Status as a Top Tennis Player Following Her Latest Title with the U.S

Coco Gauff cemented her place as one of tennis’ most exciting young stars as she led the United States to victory in the 2025 United Cup in Sydney, playing a key role in clinching the title. The 20-year-old world number three delivered a clinical performance over Iga Świątek in the opening women’s singles match, setting the tone for a thrilling final.

Gauff’s 6-4, 6-4 triumph over Świątek was not just a crucial win for the U.S. but also a testament to her remarkable rise in the sport. This victory marked her second consecutive win over the Polish star, having also defeated her in the WTA Finals in Riyadh just two months ago. Świątek, struggling with a recurring thigh injury, called for a medical timeout at 5-4 down in the second set. However, the injury plagued her throughout the match, and she ultimately left the court in tears, visibly distressed by the loss.

After the match, Gauff reflected on her growing belief in her ability to compete at the highest level. “I think I have the belief that I am one of the best players in the world. When I play good tennis, it’s hard for me to be beaten,” she said, a comment that spoke volumes about her confidence and her ability to rise to the occasion.

Not only did Gauff remain undefeated in singles and doubles throughout the event, but her composure under pressure was evident as she helped her team secure the first point of the final. “Today I think I played great tennis, and I’m happy to get a point for my team on the board,” Gauff added. “It was tough today. I’m not gonna lie.”

Her performance was a far cry from the vulnerability we sometimes see in younger players. Gauff has now firmly established herself as one of the top players in the game, and her ability to handle such pressure, especially in a team event like the United Cup, demonstrates her maturity.

After Gauff’s victory, it was up to Taylor Fritz to seal the deal for the U.S. in the men’s singles, and while the task seemed monumental, Fritz rose to the occasion. His 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (7-4) win over Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz wrapped up the title for the U.S. with a tense third-set tie-break. Fritz dug deep when it mattered most, especially at 3-3 in the tie-break, hitting clutch shots to help the Americans secure a 2-0 win in the final.

Coco Gauff 

The win marked a back-to-back United Cup title for the United States, adding another chapter to their dominance in this mixed team event. While Fritz’s triumph was certainly notable, it was Gauff’s clinical and dominant play that set the foundation for the U.S. victory.

Writer’s Comments:

Coco Gauff’s rapid rise to prominence is not just an exciting story for American tennis; it is an inspiring narrative for the entire tennis world. From a teenager thrust into the spotlight, Gauff has blossomed into a player whose talent is now matched by her mental fortitude. Her win over Świątek at the United Cup, a player she now has a winning record against, speaks volumes about Gauff’s readiness to challenge the very best in the sport.

It’s not just about the victories she’s racking up—it’s about the way she plays the game. Gauff’s demeanor on court, her calm in the face of pressure, and her belief in her abilities make her one of the most intriguing players to watch as she heads into the Australian Open. If this performance is anything to go by, Gauff is not just a future star; she is one of the best players in the world right now, and her future is brighter than ever.

Coco Gauff is celebrating her younger brother Cameron’s milestones publicly. Sharing a photo of him holding a trombone, the tennis star took to social media to share that Cameron performed in his first band concert.

“My little brother learned the trombone part of ‘Sticky’ by Tyler, the Creator, on his euphonium!” she wrote on her Instagram Story, according to Essentially Sports.

In a second post, she shared that Cameron is also a quarterback for Florida’s Delray Rocks, writing, “Qb1 and band member lol not a common duo his first band concert!”

“Aw, my little brother! I’m so proud of him and everyone on that team. Y’all get them next time!” Coco wrote on her Instagram Story in reaction to his interview, according to Essentially Sports. “Three seasons in a row undefeated and only one loss in four seasons. So impressive! Only up from here.”

Cameron is quite the overachiever: In addition to playing football, he runs track, is a javelin champion and won a tennis tournament in April, his mother Candi Gauff shared on Instagram. He received an honor roll award during graduation in May, his mother shared in an Instagram post.

Coco Gauff 
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“We always poke fun that Cameron is the favorite because he’s the youngest,” Coco said in an interview with People in 2023. “But no, he just goes on his own path. He’s a true youngest sibling.”

Cameron even helped design a New Balance kids performance shoe. He sent some of his drawings to the brand after one of the designers gifted him a book on how to make sneakers. In 2018, Coco signed an athlete endorsement deal with New Balance, per Essence Girls United.

“I think that’s just like what’s fun about being a kid in general,” Coco said about her Cameron’s creativity, according to People. “As you get older, you tend to overthink things. But I feel like kids really trust their first instinct and that’s kind of what he did. He just said he just thought the colors look cool together.”

Coco Gauff, one of the biggest names in women’s tennis, has made a passionate appeal to Roger Federer to create a women’s edition of the iconic Laver Cup.

The annual event, co-founded by Federer, currently features only male players from Team Europe and Team World.

Gauff took to social media platform Instagram to voice her opinion, calling for the inclusion of top female players in such tournaments.

Career highlights

Gauff’s proposition comes amid her impressive performance

Gauff’s proposal comes at a time when she is one of the top 10 players in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings.

She shares the honor with fellow Americans Jessica Pegula, Emma Navarro, and the 2025 Australian Open winner Madison Keys.

Her suggestion for a women’s Laver Cup seeks to give these top-tier female players an opportunity to compete on an international stage.

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Tournament considerations

Discussions on women’s Laver Cup have been initiated

The idea of a women’s Laver Cup isn’t new. Tony Godsick, who worked with Federer to launch the original tournament, has previously spoken about the possibility of such an event.

“It will take a little time to think about a fitting format for a tournament with women,” he said last year, adding that careful consideration is needed before making this change.

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Tournament format

Women’s participation in existing Laver Cup dismissed

Despite suggestions for women to play in the current Laver Cup, Godsick has ruled that out.

He stressed on the uniqueness of the current format and its success, adding that including women would make it like the Hopman Cup, a mixed-gender event.

This shows a preference for keeping the distinct identity of each tournament rather than combining them into one competition.

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Information

Gauff lost Australian Open quarter-final

Gauff recently suffered a quarter-final exit at the 2025 Australian Open, losing to Paula Badosa. The win saw Badosa enter a Grand Slam semi-final for the first time. The 27-year-old Spaniard beat Gauff 7-5, 6-4 at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena.

Coco Gauff posts on social media after her exit from the Australian Open as she sends message to her critics

Coco Gauff is aiming for a strong response on court following her Australian Open exit.

The was regarded as one of the tournament favourites given her unbeaten start to 2025 and having won her last two tournaments.

The American reached the last eight at Melbourne Park and looked poised to set up a semi-final showdown against World number one Aryna Sabalenka.

But Paula Badosa had other ideas, as she handed Gauff her first defeat of the season and brought her title hopes to a premature end.

Coco Gauff sends message to fans following Australian Open exit

After a tough summer in which she failed to progress beyond the fourth round of five successive tournaments, Coco Gauff soon reminded everybody why she is one of the world’s best players.

Following the 2024 US Open, she lost just two matches and claimed the China Open and WTA Finals to end the campaign.

In 2025, Gauff did drop a set until her 5-7, 4-6 defeat to Badosa, a match in which she committed an alarming 41 unforced errors.

The 11th seed seized her opportunity to reach her first Grand Slam semi-final while Gauff has since flown back home to Florida.

Though disappointed to leave the tournament early, Gauff vows to get back winning ways after posting a simple three-word statement alongside two pictures of her from the tournament. “Back to work,” she wrote.

Coco Gauff

In a separate post, Gauff posted a video made by a fan of her training as a youngster before it transitioned to her competing on the WTA Tour, with a defiant message to her detractors.

She wrote alongside the video: “I’m very proud of myself. I don’t care what ya’ll say… a lot more to do but I am proud.”

Coco Gauff outlines how she needs to play as the 2025 season progresses

Gauff has certainly been working hard to improve her game following an inconsistent 2024 season in which she did not win a Grand Slam.

Since working with coach Matt Daly, Gauff has changed her grip and though she is an excellent defender, she is trying to play more aggressive and front foot tennis.

Improvements have been made following her results of late, but there is still work to do. “I have to be aggressive,” Gauff said after losing to Badosa. “I feel like that’s when I’m playing my best.

“That’s how I won most of the matches so far the last few months is by playing aggressive. I think it’s just being more comfortable with that.”

She added: “I’m making a shift in my game. I haven’t always played that aggressive, so I have to expect [losses] early on. I do have faith that it will be more of an instinct instead of second guessing.”

True Class on Display as Coco Gauff and Paula Badosa Share Heartwarming Messages After Intense Australian Open Match

Coco Gauff‘s hot streak is over! The 13-match winning streak came to an end today in the Australian Open quarterfinals. Paula Badosa, playing like a true champion, took her down 7-5, 6-4. Honestly, it wasn’t a total shock. The 2024 WTA Comeback Player has been playing amazing tennis lately. This is her first Australian Open semifinal. After the match, both players were super classy on social media, showing a lot of respect for each other.

Gauff entered the match at Rod Laver Arena with a flawless 9-0 record in 2025 and a 13-match winning streak that began at the WTA Finals in November. The 20-year-old had dropped just one set en route to the AO quarter-finals, but her unforced errors plagued her game against Badosa. Gauff recorded 41 unforced errors, including six double faults. One of these double faults handed Badosa a crucial break to go up 5-2 in the second set. The 28 missed forehands also proved decisive.

After the match, Badosa shared heartfelt emotions for Badosa on the Instagram story, captioning, “It’s always a pleasure to share the court with you. I really admire you and you are a true champion! For many more battles @cocogauff ❤️.” Gauff reposted the message with her own kind words, replying, “Thank you ❤️ you’re a great competitor and even better person, good luck the rest of the way 🙏🏾

This victory over Gauff marks a significant milestone for Badosa, her first over a top-10 player at a Grand Slam, boosting her ranking to No. 9 in the world. All four of Badosa’s career wins against Gauff have come in straight sets. Having lost to Gauff twice last season from a set ahead- on clay in Rome and in the fall in Beijing which tournament Gauff went on to win- Badosa didn’t want to face the loss again and made it possible to not let it happen for the third straight time.

The 27-year-old Badosa, came back following a career-threatening back injury last year and was 0-2 in her career in major quarterfinals before she handed Gauff her first loss of 2025 in 1 hour 45 minutes inside Rod Laver Arena.

Badosa surely seemed visibly emotional after her victory and shared how much the moment meant to her. “Today I came in, and I wanted to play my best game, and I think I did it,” Badosa said post-match. “Coco, at the beginning, she was playing insane tennis, but I’m super proud of the level I gave today. A year ago, I was here with my back [injury] that I didn’t know if I had to retire from this sport, and now I’m here, playing the best in the world. I won today, I’m in the semifinals, and I never would think that a year later, I would be here,” she expressed.

Now, Gauff will build momentum for the rest of the season after exiting from the Australian Open. How?

Coco Gauff

Coco Gauff thinks there is “a lot more work to do” after Australian Open QF loss

Reflecting on her match performance in the post-match press conference, Gauff praised Badosa’s play but also noted how critical moments in the match shaped the outcome. “Paula [Badosa] was playing great. Maybe some moments in the first set could have gone my way, could have been a different outcome in the first set, but yeah, I think there’s just a lot more work to do,” Gauff admitted.

While the loss was disappointing, Gauff remains optimistic about her future. “I’m obviously disappointed. But I’m not completely crushed. I’m looking forward to a lot,” she added, keeping her focus on upcoming tournaments.

Gauff also acknowledged the fine margins in the match, saying, “I feel like it’s just who can do better in those key moments., and today, she did better in those key moments.” Gauff expressed a sense of progress, particularly compared to her earlier exit, as the U.S. Open. “Even though I lost today, I definitely feel like I’m on an upward trajectory,” she said. Even with Tuesday’s loss, Gauff has won 22 of her last 25 matches.

Despite the setback, Coco Gauff is taking the long view. She plans to rest before preparing for the Hologic WTA Tour’s swing through the Middle East in early February, with back-to-back WTA 1000s at the Qatar Total Open and Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Championships. She will look to improve on last year’s R32 exit from Qatar Open. With a packed season ahead, Gauff is poised to turn this early disappointment into a stepping stone for future success.

“At the end of the day, you’re just playing the ball. Try to take the person out of it and play the ball that comes to you…” said a confident Jodie Burrage on her next opponent, World No.3 Coco Gauff, after clearing the first round at the 2025 Australian Open. Well, the match day has arrived for these two WTA pros. The 2024 WTA Finals winner will go against 156-ranked Brit in the Round of 64 on January 15 at the Rod Laver Arena. The 2023 US Open Winner Gauff has been in sensational form lately. However, Burrage is no slouch either, given her dominant performance in the Round of 128. So who’s going to proceed forward?

Coco Gauff vs Jodie Burrage: Preview

Last season was a bit up and down for Coco Gauff. She began 2024 with a stellar win at the ASB Classic, before making it to the SF round of the 2024 Australian Open as well. In June, she even succeeded in reaching the last eight of the French Open, but couldn’t advance further after losing to five-time Major winner Iga Swiatek.

In between came a dry run when she didn’t win a title. But the drought ended soon in October. She won the China Open after defeating Czechia’s Karolina Muchova in the final. She wrapped up the 2024 season in style with a title win at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, in November. Not to mention the fact that she maintained her position in the top 3 in the world rankings as well.

But the 20-year-old American didn’t stop there and led her country to a second United Cup title earlier this month, starting the new season on a high. In the event’s final, she beat Iga Swiatek with an impressive scoreline of 6-4, 6-4. In her 2025 Australian Open campaign, Gauff easily went past compatriot Sofia Kenin. She beat the latter 6-3, 6-3, and moved into the second round. Can she continue this winning momentum forward?

Speaking of the 25-year-old Jodie Burrage, she won one singles title last season. The WTA pro lifted the trophy at the ITF United Arab Emirates 01A in December. After that, Burrage has been in good, if not excellent, touch lately. In 2025, she started her journey with the ASB Classic in Auckland. There, she lost in the second round of qualifying but entered the main draw as the lucky loser. In the first round, she beat New Zealand’s Vivian Yang. In the next one, however, she lost against World No.68 Hailey Baptiste. Burrage even made it to the qualifying draw at the Adelaide International. There, she lost to Canada’s Leylah Fernandez. Coming onto her Australian Open campaign, she beat France’s Leolia Jeanjean 6-2, 6-4 on Monday.

Coco Gauff and Jodie Burrage

Guaff vs Burrage: Head-to-Head

The 2023 US Open Winner and the Brit have crossed paths only once on a professional level. And guess what? The American is leading the tally 1-0.

  • 2023 Eastbourne International R16: Gauff; 6-1, 6-1

Prediction: Gauff to win in straight sets

Apart from her impressive match results in recent days, Coco Gauff‘s record at the first Major in Melbourne has been quite decent. Out of the 18 matches played here, she’s won 13 of them so far. Her serving skills have been on another level lately. Thanks to her accuracy and fine movement on the court, she’s managed to emerge victorious, irrespective of her opponents. Her title victories in the WTA Finals, the United Cup, and the first round of the ongoing Major make it evident. In the last few months, her athleticism, defense, and strong stroke-making abilities have elevated her in a league of her own.

As for Jodie Burrage, she will be playing in the second round of the Australian Open for the first time. In last year’s edition, she made her Grand Slam debut where she was eliminated too early by Germany’s Tamara Korpatsch. Since 2021, she has won only two matches at the Grand Slams in her five main draw appearances. Last season, she remained out of action for most of the time due to persistent injuries, which means she will have to play out of her skin against Gauff who thrashed Kenin in straight sets in the first round.

Coco Gauff looks to be a clear favorite in this encounter. It’s also because of her impressive h2h record against Burrage. At the Rod Laver Arena, the 20-year-old may wrap things up in straight sets!

Coco Gauff‘s reward for defeating 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin in her tournament opener sees the American star face Jodie Burrage in Wednesday’s second round.

Although it came 18 months after a shock first-round exit against her compatriot at Wimbledon, Gauff got her revenge and now aims to continue her blistering start to 2025 against her British opponent.

Gauff might have secured a straight-set 6-3, 6-3 victory over Kenin in her tournament opener, but familiar challenges on serve surfaced as the 2023 US Open champion avoided another tournament-opening loss to her countrywoman.

Monday’s victory, sealed in 80 minutes, continues the 20-year-old’s run of avoiding first-round exits since she was bundled out by her first-round opponent at Wimbledon in 2023.

Despite double-faulting nine times against the 26-year-old and accruing 32 unforced errors, the third seed saving five of the six break points she faced was pivotal in sealing passage to the tournament’s second round.

While sterner tests await the 2024 Aussie Open semi-finalist, the young player has continued her blistering start to the season, in which she has yet to drop a set at the United Cup and the opening major of 2025.

Having seemingly exorcised the demons of that tough opening-round defeat at SW19 to Kenin, Gauff will look to continue her momentum against an opponent featuring Down Under for the second time.

Burrage’s path to the second round this year has been slow and steady, as evidenced by her failure to make it past the first match in qualifying in 2022 and losing at the final hurdle the following year before her main draw debut in 2024.

Despite claiming the opening set against Tamara Korpatsch 12 months ago, the British player could not resist her German opponent’s fightback, winning just three of the 15 games in sets two and three as Korpatsch claimed a 2-6, 6-3, 6-0 victory.

History did not repeat itself on Monday, with Burrage sealing a 6-2, 6-4 success over French qualifier Leolia Jeanjean to advance to only her third Grand Slam second-round appearance and her first since the 2023 US Open.

Coco Gauff

 

Despite being five years older than the American, the 25-year-old Briton’s Slam experience pales in comparison to her opponent’s, underscoring the uphill battle in front of the world No. 173.

Head To Head

Eastbourne (2023) – Second round: Gauff 6-1 6-1

The two women have faced off once on the WTA Tour, with Gauff sealing a comfortable success on the grass courts of Eastbourne in 2023.

While much has changed for the American since then, she is playing at a significantly higher level heading into their second tour encounter.

The third seed entered the Australian Open with a 5-0 record this year and extended her winning start against Kenin; by contrast, Burrage was 2-3 heading into the opening major of 2025 and is now 3-3 after Monday’s first-round triumph.

The British player faces Gauff for the second time, having lost three consecutive matches against top-10 opponents, going down to the American at Eastbourne, Daria Kasatkina at Wimbledon and Aryna Sabalenka at the US Open — all second-round losses in 2023.

However, the Briton stunned Paula Badosa in Eastbourne three years ago in straight sets, beating the Spanish player 6-4 6-3 to record her only success over elite players.