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By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Friday January 20, 2022

 
Coco Gauff

Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula continued their progression at the Australian Open, as both passed through to the round of 16 without much resistance.

Photo Source: Getty

Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff are both firmly entrenched inside the WTA’s Top-10, and playing like it at the Australian Open.

Pegula, seeded third, and Gauff, seeded seventh, each have breezed through the opening week in Melbourne without the loss of a single set.

Tennis Express

The pair dropped seven games combined on Friday in Melbourne, with Pegula scorching Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk, 6-0, 6-2, while Gauff took care of compatriot Bernarda Pera 6-3, 6-2.

For Gauff, who won her third career title at Auckland two weeks ago, it was her eighth consecutive win; Pegula, meanwhile, improves to 7-1.



The doubles partners and good friends could significantly impact the progress of World No.1 Iga Swiatek next week, as Gauff is projected to face Swiatek in the quarterfinals, while Pegula, if the seeds held, would face the surging Pole in the semifinals.

Whether either American can do the unthinkable and score a week two upset of the three-time Slam champion, who just so happens to be a winner of 24 of her last 26 Grand Slam contests, remains to be seen. All that Gauff and Pegula can do is continue to take care of their business on court and work hard to earn the opportunity.

Pegula did just that four times in 2022, losing to Swiatek on all four occasions, including twice at the majors. She kept her head up, however, and set the tone for bigger things in 2023 when she drubbed Swiatek two weeks ago at the United Cup, taking advantage of a faster surface at Sydney and pounding the Pole, 6-2, 6-2.



Gauff, who is partnered with Pegula in doubles in Australia (they are seeded second and into the second round), no doubt took notice of that match and will take inspiration from it when she next faces Swiatek.

Pegula has gone through a career renaissance in the last few seasons, and she has emerged as a legitimate top-5 player and a threat to win Slams. It’s something that shows in her tennis, and it is something she now feels when she steps on the court.

“I definitely feel like now I can walk out there and I feel like I'm winning before I step out on the court,” she said on Friday in Melbourne. “It's a weird feeling to have that because before, you know, I didn't feel like that. I've always wondered what that felt like. Now I feel like the last few Grand Slams, more than that really, you get so much more comfortable. I think you start your confidence level of going out there and controlling the match. Even when it's not going great, I feel like I'm in control the whole time.”

Less experienced, but considered to have more upside, Gauff may not be so confident in her own aura just yet. She’s still just 18 and can be up and down with her confidence. Gauff is 1-4 vs. the Top-10 at Grand Slams, and has won just three of her last 13 against the Top-10 overall. There’s still some ground that needs to be covered in terms of self-belief, and with her game, particularly the forehand side.

All the more reason for her to power through to the quarterfinals so she can get another taste of tennis’ ultimate test. She may not have what it takes to beat Swiatek this time around, but can only benefit from the experience.

 

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