Third Round ordeala: Coco Gauff overcomes nerves and Britain's Kartal in Wimbledon

America’s Coco Gauff has revealed that she was ‘nervous’ while facing Britain’s Sonay Kartal in the third round of Wimbledon 2024. The third Grand Slam is moving towards the business end, where the remaining players battle to secure the ultimate prize.

Gauff, who is already renowned as one of the best players currently playing in the women’s singles category along with Poland’s Iga Swiatek, Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, has booked her place in the fourth round of the mega-event with after beating Kartal in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 6-0.

Gauff, while talking to the media after the match, stated that she was ‘nervous’ to face Kartal in front of her home crowd. She also went on to praise the crowd sitting in the arena, who according to her always engaged her in a ‘respectful’ manner.

“I think this is my first time playing a British player here. I was a little nervous honestly,” she said. “I knew you guys would be for her which is totally understandable... thankfully you guys were pretty nice to me. Honestly playing in front of the British crowd is great, you guys are always so respectful and very engaged, I really appreciate that. Honestly playing in front of the British crowd is great, you guys are always so respectful and very engaged, I really appreciate that."

Gauff is set to face fellow American Emma Navarro in the round of 16, who booked her place in the fourth round after beating Russia’s Diana Shnaider with a score of 2-6, 6-3, 6-4. It will be only the second meeting between the two players in professional tennis. Their only previous meeting was during the ASB Classic in Auckland earlier this year, where Gauff proved too hot to handle for the 23-year-old as she emerged victorious in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 6-1.