Defending champion Coco Gauff set to face ‘super mom’ Elina Svitolina in the Auckland Finals

Defending champion Coco Gauff set to face ‘super mom’ Elina Svitolina in the Auckland Finals

Coco Gauff and Elina Svitolina (Credits: Sky Sports)

Coco Gauff will take on second-seed Elina Svitolina as part of her title defense at the 2024 ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand on Sunday, January 7.

The event’s defending champion has enjoyed a head-turning 2023 season which included her maiden Grand Slam triumph at the season’s US Open after downing Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka in the summit clash of the hardcourt event.

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American teen talent Coco Gauff has displayed rampaging form during her ASB Classic attendance. During her semifinal performance, the 19-year-old hardly broke a sweat to oust compatriot Emma Navarro in straight sets and is now only a win away from clinching the Auckland title for a second consecutive year.

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Meanwhile, Elina Svitolina registered a comeback victory against Chinese tennis pro-Wang Xiyu in the tournament’s last four to book a berth in the final round.

It is worth noting that the Ukrainian returned to action post-pregnancy last season and made a formidable statement by reaching the semifinals of the 2023 Wimbledon Championships. 

Svitolina and Gauff’s head-to-head currently stands 1-0 in favor of the former owing to her triumph over the American during their second-round clash in the 2021 Australian Open.

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Coco Gauff’s coach Brad Gilbert touches down on the American’s shortcomings in the WTA Tour

American tennis prodigy Coco Gauff’s coach, Brad Gilbert, recently touched down on the duo’s future partnership and further disclosed the 19-year-old’s ambitions in an exclusive interview with Eurosport. 

The former World No. 4 coach also highlighted his priorities for the young achiever to ensure certain advancements in her game. 

Coco Gauff and Brad Gilbert (Credits: Tennis365)
Coco Gauff and Brad Gilbert (Credits: Tennis365)
Obviously, I’m going to do more than I thought. You know what I think about most right now? Making progress. Especially when you’re young, it’s great what you’ve achieved, but it starts over again next year. If you asked (Coco Gauff) at the start of 2023, her expectations were high. She sets a high standard, and she’s driven to get better. She’s never satisfied. She wants to achieve things — that’s all she’s thinking about.
Gilbert said during an interview with Eurosport.

The summit clash between Coco Gauff and Elina Svitolina will go down at 9:30 AM (ET) on Sunday, January 7 at the ASB Tennis Centre in Parnell.

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