Gauff storms past qualifier to reach third round
Coco Gauff stormed past Romanian qualifier Anca Todoni to move into the third round of Wimbledon.
The second seed entertained the crowd under the roof on Court One with big hitting to earn a 6-2 6-1 victory in 66 minutes.
Gauff will play British qualifier Sonay Kartal, who claimed the biggest win of her career with victory over Franceâs Clara Burel later on Wednesday.
A second convincing win this week marks progress for American Gauff at SW19 after a surprise exit in the first round last year.
âOverall, I just learned about life a lot. I guess you do as you get older,â the 20-year-old said.
âI realised what I do, yes Iâm passionate about, but itâs not that serious and sometimes the world can make you feel like thereâs so much pressure, so much expectation.
âAt the end of the day, itâs a game, itâs a sport and Iâm very privileged to be playing out here.â
Todoni, 19, came into Wednesdayâs match on the back of a dominant win â and her first victory in a Grand Slam â over fellow qualifier Olga Danilovic, of Serbia.
But she faced a tougher opponent in US Open winner Gauff, who is among the favourites to go the distance at Wimbledon.
After dropping serve early, Todoni couldnât make the most of any chances to break back.
It was an uphill task from there for Todoni, who struggled to absorb Gauffâs powerful ball striking and won just three points on her opponentâs serve.
IMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGES
Image caption,
Gauff reached the fourth round at Wimbledon in 2019 and 2021
American 11th seed Danielle Collins returned to complete a 6-3 7-6 (7-4) win over Denmarkâs Clara Tauson after their match was paused on Tuesday evening because of fading light and a slippery surface.
Elina Svitolina, the 21st seed from Ukraine, moved past Polandâs Magda Linette with a hard-fought 7-5 6-7 (9-11) 6-3 win.
