Coco Gauff Exits Australian Open After Dominating Loss to Elina Svitolina
For the second consecutive year, Coco Gauff exited the Australian Open at the quarterfinal stage. This time, she faced Elina Svitolina, who had recently upset No. 8 seed Mirra Andreeva. Svitolina displayed aggressive play, capitalizing on Gauff’s struggles during the match.
Coco Gauff’s Struggles in Quarterfinals
The match took place on the iconic Rod Laver Arena, where Gauff struggled to find her rhythm from the start. After a lively initial exchange, the contest quickly turned in favor of Svitolina, who dominated the game.
Statistics and Highlights
- Final Score: Elina Svitolina def. Coco Gauff 6-1, 6-2
- Match Duration: Less than one hour
- Unforced Errors: Gauff – 14; Svitolina – minimal
- Winners: Gauff – 2; Svitolina – numerous
- Double Faults: Gauff – 5 in the first set
Despite being a two-time Grand Slam champion, Gauff struggled significantly. She often looked to her team for guidance and made adjustments mid-match, but things did not improve. After four games, she even had her rackets restrung, indicating a miscalculation in tension for the indoor conditions.
Svitolina quickly seized the advantage, winning nine consecutive games after losing the second game of the match. This solid streak included a series of precise shots that leaped her ahead of Gauff, effectively neutralizing her strengths.
Gauff’s Performance Issues
Throughout the match, Gauff’s usual speed and agility were noticeably diminished. She only found her movement halfway through the second set when Svitolina had already established a commanding lead. By this point, the American was unable to mount a significant comeback.
Ultimately, Gauff’s quarterfinal exit marked another challenging moment in her Australian Open journey. Elina Svitolina’s win not only advanced her into the semifinals but also highlighted Gauff’s needs for adjustments in high-pressure match situations.
