“It’s what you do as you get older,” Coco Gauff eases past Anca Todoni in straight sets despite ‘burden of expectations’ at Wimbledon

The 20-year-old has never progressed beyond the fourth round at the SW19 and is hoping to end it this season.

“It’s what you do as you get older,” Coco Gauff eases past Anca Todoni in straight sets despite ‘burden of expectations’ at Wimbledon

Coco Gauff (Image via Imago)

Coco Gauff suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the first round of Wimbledon last year after former World No.4 and compatriot Sofia Kenin knocked her out in three sets. But this season, the 20-year-old has eased past her first two opponents without much effort.

She met fellow American Caroline Dolehide in the first set and won with scores of 6-1, 6-2. Then, in the second round she played on Wednesday (July 3), Gauff eliminated Romania’s qualifier Anca Todoni 6-2, 6-1. 

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After the match, the American recalled last year’s defeat and talked about the expectations after her 2023 US Open win. Gauff said as she is getting older, she is becoming more mature and has started seeing tennis as just a game without thinking much about the world’s expectations. 

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I think overall I learned about life a lot. I guess it’s what you do as you get older. What I do I’m passionate about, but it’s not ever that serious. The world can make you feel like there’s so much pressure and expectation. At the end of the day, it’s a game, it’s a sport. I’m very, very privileged and honored to be playing in front of you guys. This is the court where I first started here at Wimbledon.
Coco Gauff said after the match

In the 2023 US Open final, Gauff met Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka and beat her in three sets 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 to win her first major title. She played her first Grand Slam final in 2022 at Roland Garros and lost to current World No.1 Iga Swiatek. 

Coco Gauff’s performance at the Wimbledon Championships

Coco Gauff made her Grand Slam debut at the 2019 Wimbledon as a qualifier and reached the fourth round after upsetting five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams in the first round. Former World No.1 and two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep ended Gauff’s run by beating her in straight sets in the fourth round (Halep then went on to win her second major title by beating Serena Williams in the final in straight sets). 

Coco Gauff
Coco Gauff (Image via Imago)

Gauff then reached the Round of 16 at Wimbledon 2021 and lost to three-time major champion Angelique Kerber in straight sets. The next year, she made it to the third round and lost to Amanda Anisimova in three sets. 

The 20-year-old has never progressed beyond the fourth round at the SW19 and is hoping to end it this season. Gauff will face Sonay Kartal in the third round.

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