After Serena Williams’ ouster from the Australian Open, another big upset followed as Naomi Osaka was knocked out from the fourth round by Coco Gauff in straight sets in on Friday.
The 15-year-old Gauff had said would be more aggressive this time while facing Osaka after losing to her at the 2018 US Open and took her revenge by capitalising on a error-prone display from her opponent to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam for just the second time in her career.
Gracious in defeat 🇯🇵@naomiosaka | #AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/lJLQmJK6M5
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 24, 2020
Gauff, who made the headlines at the Wimbledon last year as a qualifier where she beat Serena Williams, was expected to give a Osaka a tough fight but hardly few believed that she could defeat the two-time Slam winner, not even herself.
“Two years ago I lost first round in juniors, and now I’m here,” said Gauff after her stunning victory.
“This is crazy. I was just telling myself one point at a time and keep fighting because you never know what happens on this court. I’m on Rod Laver Arena, I can’t believe this.”
Gauff is set to play compatriot Sofia Kenin or China’s Zhang Shuai in the next round but the youngster showed again that she has the potential to beat the best players in the world.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to her victory:
Hello @CocoGauff - congratulations on your incredible victory tonight. I would love to meet you too. 🚀
— Rod Laver (@rodlaver) January 24, 2020
What. 🙆🏾♀️ pic.twitter.com/K2jERPfXGe
— Coco Gauff (@CocoGauff) January 24, 2020
“Two years ago I lost first round of juniors. Now I’m here’s this is crazy,” she says on court. “Like, what is my life?” #AusOpen
— Nick McCarvel (@NickMcCarvel) January 24, 2020
At last year's #AusOpen, if you had asked:
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 24, 2020
"I wonder who is going to knock out the defending champion next year?"
The correct answer would have been a girl who was 14-years-old and ranked 684th.
What Coco Gauff is doing is *nuts*. It's pretty hard to overstate that.
15-year-old Coco Gauff dethrones #AusOpen champion Naomi Osaka, 6-3, 6-4 to move into the second round.
— Kristoffer Ed Bellen (@KristoffBellen) January 24, 2020
She becomes the first ever teenager to defeat a Grand Slam champion in Week 1 of any majors event. Future is now. pic.twitter.com/JN6JqQVZmJ
If "fearless" was a person ... well done @CocoGauff you got the job done in straight sets 👏👏 #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/jkGhnsU92Z
— 🌩⚡Queen of Assgard 🌩⚡ (@TraceyManus) January 24, 2020
Naomi Osaka, who was ranked No. 1 last year, will drop at least to No. 9 with that 3d round loss to Coco Gauff
— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) January 24, 2020
Gauff, who was ranked in the 600s this time last year, is set to break into the top 50 at age 15
The 15 old Coco Gauff has doneit! She beats Naomi Osaka 6-3 6-4 to revenge her defeat in Wimbledonlastyear!!!
— ADETOLA ADEOLA FARUK (@adetolafaruk) January 24, 2020
Too early though, We may have found the new Serena Williams.🔥🔥🎾🎾#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/Xcf5weC6VD
Magnificent performance from 15 years old @CocoGauff to beat off stiff opposition from Naomi Osaka to cruise to the fourth round of the Australian Open. She was beaten by the same Japanese in the third round of the 2019 US Open 6-3, 6-0. What a turnaround in 2020. pic.twitter.com/LWs1PGCgYC
— Olatunde Liadi (@OlatundeLiadi) January 24, 2020
OH MY GOODNESS COCO GAUFF. https://t.co/qgYqJ7eWd7
— Lindsay Gibbs (@linzsports) January 24, 2020
A day that will loom large in the WTA history books. The day that:
— Jonathan Newman (@Tennis_Jon) January 24, 2020
Caroline Wozniacki played her final match
Serena Williams was upset in 3rd round in her continued quest for #24
COCO GAUFF took out the defending champion, Naomi Osaka, 6-3 6-4.
At 15, my biggest worry was how to get aorund doing my homework and playing video games instead.
— Jimmie48 Photography (@JJlovesTennis) January 24, 2020
Safe to say, things are vastly differentt for Coco. pic.twitter.com/63emU2g1rO
I know Coco Gauff age is not anew thing to be amazed by but one thing that keeps popping in my head is fact she is closer in age to Fed's daughters than she is to vast majority of players she is playing against right now. Fed's daughters! I feel so old.
— Rhian (@rosso_neri) January 24, 2020
15 yr old @CocoGauff defeated the defending champion @naomiosaka 😬😬 I’m looking forward to this rivalry for the best part of the decade, and them some! #AusOpen #AustralianOpen https://t.co/kjwuvvJWk5
— Palesa (@LindiweOnline) January 24, 2020
Wow! Did I just see 15 year-old @CocoGauff despatch world No 1, @naomiosaka in 2 straight sets of 6-3, 6-4? What a talent she is, Coco!#AustralianOpen
— MrRowe101 (@MrRowe101) January 24, 2020
Congrats to Coco Gauff on beating Naomi Osaka! It was such a pleasure watching these two Black Queens, just mesmerizing #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/Wxdh7lSLDa
— Whitney Miller (@WhitnMiller) January 24, 2020
