Coco Gauff blazes her way into last eight of Australian Open with a merciless straight sets win over Magdalena Frech
- The American sensation dominated her Polish rival 6-1 6-2 in just over an hour
- Gauff has spent a total of four hours and 48 minutes in the tournament so far
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
US Open champion Coco Gauff has advanced to the last eight at Melbourne Park, with the women’s crown up for grabs after the shock departure of another top favourite.
Under the watchful eye of Australian tennis legend Rod Laver on the court named after him, the American defeated Polish world number 69 Magdalena Frech 6-1 6-2 in just over an hour on Sunday.
It is the first time that Gauff, the fourth seed, has advanced past the fourth round of the Australian Open.
Gauff played her last major as a teenager and spent a total of four hours and 48 minutes on the course during the first four rounds at Melbourne Park.
“I want to see The Iron Claw tonight… I want to go to the movies,” Gauff joked after extending her winning streak to nine matches following her title run in Auckland.
Coco Guaff defeated Magdalena Frech to advance to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open
Gauff dominated her No. 69 Polish counterpart, 6-1 6-2, in just over an hour of action
This is the first time that Gauff has reached the fourth round of the Australian Open as a fourth seed
“No, I’m not in a rush to go anywhere. There’s no better ground in Australia than Rod Laver (Arena), and it was an honor to play for you.”
Gauff never faced a break point and beat 21 winners to earn a quarter-final meeting with Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuvs or Russian qualifier Maria Timofeeva.
A second Grand Slam title is within reach for the 19-year-old Atlanta native after world number 1 Iga Swiatek followed last year’s number two Elena Rybakina out the door on Saturday evening.
It leaves Gauff as the second-highest seed in the women’s draw behind 2023 Open champion Aryna Sabalenka, who still has them on a collision course to meet in the semifinals.
World number 2 Sabalenka will first have to deal with American Amanda Anisimova on Sunday before meeting 2021 French Open winner Barbora Krejcikova or 16-year-old Russian sensation Mirra Andreeva in the last eight.