Izuchukwu Okosi
Australian Open women’s defending champion Aryna Sabalenka and fourth seed Coco Gauff produced the most impressive performances in the women’s draw on Sunday to advance to the quarter-finals of the competition.
World number 2, Sabalenka edged past American Amanda Anisimova 6-3 6-2 while Coco Gauff who won the US Open in 2023 got the better of Polish rival, Magdalena Frech 6-1 6-2 to book a place in the quarterfinals.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe 19-year-old Gauff has produced nine successive wins already in the new year after winning the Auckland Invitational Championship title during the second week of the season, and has dropped just a single set in the process.
The reward for Sabalenka is a date with former Roland Garros champion Barbora Krejcikova, who outwitted teenager Mirra Andreeva 6-4 3-6 6-2.
The world No.2 outclassed American Amanda Anisimova 6-3 6-2 and has dropped just 11 games on her way to the quarterfinals. Her longest match so far has been an hour and 10 minutes.
Last year’s US Open champion Gauff opened the Rod Laver Arena schedule on Sunday and was far too strong for Poland’s Magdalena Frech 6-1 6-2 on her way to her first Australian Open quarterfinal.
The 19-year-old Gauff has produced nine successive wins already in the new year after winning the Auckland Invitational Championship title during the second week of the season, and has dropped just a single set in the process.
Speaking after her win, Coco Gauff paid tribute to the legendary Rod Lever who was in the stands to watch her.
“I want to see the Iron Claw tonight. It was an honor to play in front of you!”
Gauff’s victory came a day after world number 1, Iga Swiatek was eliminated after suffering a chastening defeat to Linda Noskova.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
