Coco Gauff of the USA performs a backhand return to Anca Todoni of Romania throughout their match on day three on the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Wednesday, July 3, 2024. (AP Picture/Mosa’ab Elshamy)
LONDON — Coco Gauff likes No. 1 Court docket at Wimbledon.
It’s the place she beat Venus Williams again in 2019 when Gauff made her Wimbledon debut at age 15.
On Wednesday, Gauff beat qualifier Anca Todoni 6-2, 6-1 to advance to the third spherical on the All England Membership.
“That is the courtroom the place I first began right here at Wimbledon. Court docket 1 is at all times a particular place for me to play on,” the 20-year-old Gauff stated in her on-court interview.
READ: Reigning Wimbledon champ Marketa Vondrousova out in first spherical
The victory additionally permits Gauff, the No. 2 seed, to maneuver one other step away from final yr’s first-round exit.
“General, I simply realized about life loads,” the U.S. Open champion stated when requested about placing that three-set loss to Sofia Kenin behind her.
“I simply realized that, sure, what I do I’m very obsessed with, however it’s not ever that critical and generally the world could make you are feeling like there’s a lot stress, there’s a lot expectation,” she stated. “On the finish of the (day), it’s a sport. It’s sport.”
The 19-year-old Todoni is from Romania and was making her Grand Slam debut.
“I do suppose I may have performed cleaner at some moments,” Gauff stated.
5 years in the past, Gauff beat Williams — a five-time Wimbledon champion — 6-4, 6-4 within the first spherical and finally reached the final 16, all in her Grand Slam debut.
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain celebrates after defeating Aleksandar Vukic of Australia throughout their match on day three on the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Wednesday, July 3, 2024. (AP Picture/Mosa’ab Elshamy)
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz trailed 6-5 within the first set Wednesday earlier than coming again to beat Aleksander Vukic 7-6 (5), 6-2, 6-2, organising a third-round assembly with No. 29 Frances Tiafoe after the American eradicated Borna Coric 7-6 (5), 6-1, 6-3.
When advised by the on-court interviewer that Tiafoe stated he’s “coming after you,” the 21-year-old Spaniard replied with a smile: “I’m going for him.”
READ: Carlos Alcaraz begins Wimbledon title protection
“We performed a very good match within the U.S. Open,” the No. 3 seed stated of their 2022 semifinal that Alcaraz received at Flushing Meadows.
In different outcomes, four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka was eradicated within the second spherical by No. 19 Emma Navarro by a rating of 6-4, 6-1, whereas No. 1 Jannik Sinner acquired previous 2021 runner-up Matteo Berrettini 7-6 (3), 7-6 (4), 2-6, 7-6 (4) at Centre Court docket in an all-Italian contest.
“I knew that I needed to increase my stage at this time,” Sinner stated. “He’s a grass-court specialist. … I’m very joyful how I dealt with the scenario.”
No. 11 Danielle Collins accomplished her first-round match — a 6-3, 7-6 (4) win over Clara Tauson. It had been suspended Tuesday night time at 4-4 within the second set.
No. 20 Beatriz Haddad Maia superior to the third spherical by beating Magdalena Frech 7-5, 6-3.
