Coco Gauff sails past Leylah Fernandez into third consecutive Last 16 at Australian Open

In a heavily billed match, Coco Gauff made light work of Leylah Fernandez to reach the Last 16 of the 2025 Australian Open. it is a third in a row for the American who prevailed 6-4, 6-2 in the end.

Gauff in the process of sealing this win has booked her place in the second week of a Grand Slam for the 14th time seeing off the 30th seed and former US Open finalist.

This was Gauff's second win of the season already over Fernandez after she prevailed during their first meeting at the United Cup. Albeit that victory also saw her win for the first time since they meet in juniors. She has yet to drop a set either against the Canadian at any level.

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She was sublime throughout as Fernandez simply couldn't find the answers to solve the puzzle. She couldn't threaten the serve of Gauff at all hence the one sided scoreline and Gauff flicked the switch when she needed to.

It sets up a fourth round match-up against former Olympic gold medalist Belinda Bencic who is playing her first Grand Slam since becoming a mother. She had a battle of the mothers as she faced Naomi Osaka but unfortunately the former World No.1 had to retire after one set injured.

Osaka had played and troubled Gauff in China last year albeit it was the same result as she was forced to quit after a set despite leading at that point. In the case of Bencic, they have split two previous meetings. Bencic won in three sets at the 2021 Adelaide semi-final. While Gauff won in 2023 in the Washington Quarter-Finals. Albeit both have gone in different paths since with Gauff becoming a Grand Slam champion and Bencic going off tour for a time and hoping to recapture her former glory.

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