American tennis sensation Coco Gauff has backed Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva to have a “great future” after the pair’s US Open match. Gauff won the contest in straight sets, but heaped praise on her 16-year-old opponent following the tie.
Speaking after recording a 6-3, 6-2 win, Gauff was asked what she had learned since the pair last played. Both teenagers faced each other before at the French Open back in June, which saw Gauff win over three sets.
“I just learned to be aggressive,” the 19-year-old said. “I think she’s the type of player that if you give her something she’s going to take advantage and today I think I did well to make her play off her back foot.
“Mirra, I think she has a great future ahead of her. I’ve been in her position before. Hopefully you guys can continue to support her. I think she’ll be back on this stage many more times in the future.”
“I think when I was younger I used to think every match was life or death,” Gauff added. “When you realise that some of your competitors on tour are in their 30s I think it puts in perspective that you still have to allow yourself time to make mistakes and the losses, as long as you learn from them, they’re okay.”
Gauff’s classy comments drew applause from the US Open crowd as she progressed into the third round of the tournament. The American will be hoping to improve on last year’s finish where she reached the quarter-finals.
Her fate was sealed following a straight sets defeat to defeated by Caroline Garcia but in the process Gauff became the youngest American woman, since 17-year-old Melanie Oudin, to achieve such a feat since 2009.
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On the other hand, Andreeva’s recent defeat to Gauff was her earliest grand slam exit to date. Despite her relatively short professional career, the Russian made it to the third round of the French Open, where she lost to Gauff, and the fourth round at Wimbledon, following a defeat to Madison Keys.
Not all is lost for Andreeva as she takes home some raking points from her first US Open. The teenager won her first round clash over Olivia Gadecki after a tense three sets. Up next for Guaff is a third round match against Belgian Elise Mertens on Friday.
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