After a monumental US Open, expectations have been excessive for the People getting into the primary main of 2024. With 19 girls and 12 males within the singles predominant attracts on the Australian Open, deep runs on the occasion appeared properly inside attain for a lot of.
In New York, 4 girls and 4 males made it to the second week, however the People weren’t fairly as profitable throughout the opening three rounds in Melbourne. Getting into the spherical of 16, simply three People stay. Coco Gauff and Amanda Anisimova are the final girls standing and Taylor Fritz is the lone man. Here is how they received right here and what stands in between them and the quarterfinals:
Coco Gauff
Following a blistering-hot streak on the onerous court docket over the summer time, the 19-year-old gained her first main in September on the US Open — and she or he’s proven no indicators of slowing down within the new 12 months. Gauff opened the season along with her second straight title at Auckland and has but to drop a set in Melbourne. On Friday, she fully dismantled fellow American Alycia Parks 6-0, 6-2 in simply over an hour to advance to the fourth spherical.
Gauff, the world No. 4, has now gained 32 of her 36 matches since early August and been victorious in 10 consecutive main matches, tying Serena Williams for the third-longest streak by an American teenager within the Open period.
All smiles with that efficiency 😁@CocoGauff cruises previous Parks 6-0 6-2 to achieve the fourth spherical.#AusOpen • #AO2024 pic.twitter.com/KCSRSRcQqC
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 19, 2024
Whereas some had hoped Gauff could be dealing with Naomi Osaka within the fourth spherical, she as an alternative will tackle Magdalena Frech within the first assembly between the 2 and Frech’s first main spherical of 16 look. The winner will play Marta Kostyuk or Maria Timofeeva within the quarters.
Taking part in in her first Slam since changing into a serious champion and trying to attain her first quarterfinals in Melbourne, Gauff mentioned she had a brand new mindset — courtesy of her youthful brother Codey — that she believed was serving to.
“Have enjoyable and loosen up,” Gauff mentioned of her mentality after her win over Parks. “I believe as you get later, the trophy clearly will get nearer and nearer. You need to deal with it that it is as distant as it’s should you’re within the first spherical. That is [how] I approached that last. I did not strategy it as I simply have to win two units and I’ve it. I approached it as I have to win seven matches once more after which I will get it.
“He informed me, ‘Faux that you must win three units as an alternative of two.’ When you put your mindset into the additional mile, then it appears simpler I suppose in a method. He would say, ‘OK, if you wish to win the Grand Slam, say you must win eight matches as an alternative of seven.’ It is like altering your mindset so it feels additional. … I believe tricking your thoughts form of relaxes the physique as a result of your thoughts controls your physique. You need to trick your thoughts a little bit bit.”
Amanda Anisimova
After taking a psychological well being break from tennis for a lot of the 2023 season, the 22-year-old returned to competitors earlier this month. And now, in simply her second match again, Anisimova is into the fourth spherical following spectacular straight-set wins over No. 13 seed Liudmila Samsonova, 2020 French Open semifinalist Nadia Podoroska and former world No. 2 Paula Badosa.
Anisimova, a 2019 French Open semifinalist and 2022 Wimbledon quarterfinalist, is taking part in in her third spherical of 16 on the Australian Open however she’s by no means superior to the quarters. And if she’s going to do it this 12 months, she’s going to must get by way of Aryna Sabalenka, the defending champion, on Sunday.
Anisimova holds a 4-1 profession document over Sabalenka however it will not be straightforward. Sabalenka has misplaced simply six video games — in complete — all through her 2024 marketing campaign in Melbourne, and recorded a double-bagel rating (6-0, 6-0) in her third-round victory. Regardless of the apparent problem, Anisimova mentioned she was “actually wanting ahead to it” however could be content material irrespective of the ultimate consequence.
Again. In. Enterprise 🧳@anisimovaamanda defeats Badosa 7-5 6-4 and wins 3 straight matches for the primary time since 2022 Wimbledon!#AusOpen • #AO2024 pic.twitter.com/QOZ8q5jHhB
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 19, 2024
“I am actually pleased with myself,” Anisimova mentioned on Friday. “I wasn’t certain ought to I anticipate to do properly as a result of lots of people have been telling me, ‘Do not put an excessive amount of expectations on your self, you’ve got taken plenty of day without work, do not get too down on your self should you do not do properly at these tournaments.’ I form of took that in a little bit bit, however I nonetheless anticipated rather a lot out of myself.
“However on the identical time I used to be going to be completely happy whether or not I lose within the first spherical or if I do properly. So I used to be stepping into with that strategy. I am simply actually completely happy that I used to be capable of get this far, however I nonetheless suppose that I can do extra.”
If Anisimova have been to drag off the upset, she would face the winner of Sunday’s match between 2021 French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova and 16-year-old phenom Mirra Andreeva.
Taylor Fritz
After reaching his first US Open quarterfinal in September and coming off a season that noticed him win two titles on onerous court docket, the 26-year-old has introduced a newfound confidence Down Underneath this season.
In his opening-round match, Fritz fought again after trailing two units to 1 in opposition to Facundo Diaz Acosta to in the end emerge victorious 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4. However he left nothing to likelihood in his subsequent match in opposition to Hugo Gaston, giving up simply 4 video games.
Within the third spherical, he misplaced the primary set to Fabian Marozsan however rallied — but once more — for a four-set win. Because the No. 12 seed, Fritz acknowledged having a goal on his again in opposition to unseeded opponents and needing to search out methods to raise his recreation.
Challenged early, @Taylor_Fritz97 rallied impressively to defeat Fabian Marozsan 3-6 6-4 6-2 6-2 to arrange a mouth watering fourth spherical assembly with Stefanos Tsitsipas.#AusOpen • #AO2024 pic.twitter.com/MNazabEFLz
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 19, 2024
“In my first spherical [match], my opponent was taking part in very well, and I raised my stage above my common stage,” Fritz mentioned on Friday after the victory over Marozsan. “I performed very properly. At this time as properly my opponent was taking part in very properly at first, and I raised my stage rather a lot, and I performed actually, very well within the final units.”
Now into his second spherical of 16 on the Australian Open, Fritz must increase his stage even increased in opposition to 2023 match runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas with the intention to advance to his first quarterfinal in Melbourne. Tsitsipas holds a 3-1 collection edge, however Fritz gained their final assembly 6-2, 6-4 in Monte Carlo in April. Fritz mentioned he was optimistic about his probabilities in Sunday’s showdown.
“I am excited for the following match,” Fritz mentioned on Friday. “I really feel assured. I am taking part in properly. I’ve performed Stef quantity, so I’ve an thought of what I’ve to anticipate and the way I need to play it as properly.”
If Fritz is profitable, a conflict in opposition to 10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic would probably await within the quarterfinals.
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