Coco Gauff grounds Brenda Fruhvirtova, surges into ASB Classic quarterfinal

Coco Gauff’s 2024 season continues to gather steam at the ASB Classic as the reigning US Open champion wins a seventh straight match in Auckland, defeating Brenda Fruhvirtova, 6-3, 6-0.

"I thought I played well," Gauff said on court after the match. "She started off playing really well, and I was able to raise my level. I thought I served well, and did better on the returns."

Gauff kicked off her breakthrough 2023 with an ASB Classic title and is looking to do the same in her 2024 debut, knocking out the Czech qualifier in 70 minutes on Stadium Court.

Brenda Fruhvirtova is the younger of the vaunted Fruhvirtova sisters; elder sister Linda enjoyed a thunderous start to 2023 by reaching the second week of the Australian Open. Still just 16 years old, Fruhvirtova is fast approaching a Top 100 debut after racing through Auckland qualifying without dropping a set and scoring a main-draw victory over Anna Blinkova.

"I've known her since she was about 10 years old," Gauff said. "We used to be in France training at the same academy with Patrick Mouratoglou. With me, her, and her sister, we grew up training beside each other, so it's great to see her on tour, and I'm sure she's going to go even further than here."

Gauff proved an entirely different challenge, and found herself increasingly overmatched as the round of 16 contest wore on. The 19-year-old top seed eased through the opening set after an early exchange of breaks, striking an even 14 winners to 14 unforced errors as she converted two of three break point opportunities.

The second set swung even more towards the world No. 3, who rocketed up the rankings after an unforgettable summer swing that culminated with a maiden major win in Flushing Meadows. Working with esteemed coach Brad Gilbert, Gauff has looked stronger and more confident with each match she plays.

"I mean, I always think I can do better," joked the American. "I would say that, for the most part, I won and it was a good match, so I'm happy. But I feel like I can raise my level a lot more. That's kind of what it's like at the beginning of the year, to work through playing back-to-back matches every day.

"Hopefully, by the time the end of the week comes, I can say that I'm satisfied."

After easing past Claire Liu in the opening round, Gauff saved her most dominant stretch for the finale against Fruhvirtova, racing ahead 5-0 before her fellow teenager could get a whiff at the scoreboard. Saving a break point as she served for the match, Gauff put down one last serve to help her over the finish line and reach the quarterfinals in just over an hour.

In all, Gauff struck 21 winners to 20 unforced errors and not only converted five of six break point chances but saved five of six on her own serve, booking a last-eight encounter against either No. 8 seed Varvara Gracheva or Swiss qualifier Lulu Sun.