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Coco Gauff Heads Into U.S. Open With Momentum After Beating World No. 2 Ash Barty
Coco Gauff will head into the US Open with some momentum on her side.
The 15-year-old tennis sensation beat world No. 2 Ash Barty, 6-4, 2-6, 10-8 in an exhibition at the Winston Salem Open at Wake Forest University.
Gauff put the match away with a stinging forehand winner on match point.
Gauff, who is represented by Roger Federer's agent, Tony Godsick, can only play a limited number of tournaments because of the WTA's age-restriction rules. To compensate, she agreed to play the exhibition against Barty, the French Open champ and the world No. 1 for seven weeks this year.
"I actually really like North Carolina," Gauff said on court after the win. "I used to live here when I was younger, but I don't remember that. Maybe one day we'll move back, I don't know. But I hope to be back and play here again. It was super fun."
"I'm kind of sad to leave because New York is busy but it was good to get the calm before the storm."
The storm begins next week after she was given a wildcard into the year's final Grand Slam event. She figures to be a feature attraction at the tournament where defending champion Naomi Osaka is the No. 1 seed and 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams is the bettor's favorite. Gauff will likely play at least one night match, especially if she makes a run in New York.
Gauff beat Venus Williams during her magical Wimbledon run, which ended with a fourth-round loss to Simona Halep, who ended up beating Serena in the final.
“I’m super-excited,” Gauff said before the match. “I don’t get a lot of opportunity to play in these atmospheres and to play against a great player. It’s good preparation for the U.S. Open.
