Mats Wilander describes Coco Gauff's performance as 'Novak-esque'

Coco Gauff's 7-5 7-5 win over Zhang Shaui earned her a spot in the last 8 and also a lot of praise from experts.

After winning her first set Gauff found it even more difficult in the second set after she found herself 5-3 down. However the 18 year old showed confidence and composure to pull it back and win the game 7-5.

Former professional Barbara Schett had a lot to say about the American's victory on her home soil.

“The way she just put her mindset to play one point at a time, and she got so fired up, there was so much positive energy,” Schett said. “That was outstanding."

7 time single's Grand Slam winner Mats Wilander was also full of praise for the youngster after her victory.

“Absolutely outstanding. And to be 100 per cent honest, she’s survived that and then when she had breakpoints back, she actually missed a few easy shots and that’s on those breakpoints back in the beginning of this game. It was actually maybe the worst I’ve seen her play, but she didn’t hang her head. She just keeps coming back.”

“She just gets the mix between offence and defence,” he said. “I mean, the backhand, it’s Novak-esque the way she defends on the backhand side. She’s everywhere."

“The difference is that Coco, she can do that, but she can also defend. And she’s as good on the backhand side as she is on the forehand side."

“She really is the total package."

For an individual so early in her career to get praise off such well respected people in the game it must be so uplifting and will likely bring her confidence for the later rounds.

Coco Gauff will now face Caroline Garcia in the quarter finals of the US Open tomorrow.