CORI GAUFF produced a stunning display of character to save two match points and grind her way into the last 16 of Wimbledon. Fifteen-year-old Gauff had caught the imagination of the crowd on the back of her first two winds at the All-England Club. But on her Centre Court debut she battled her way back […]
CORI GAUFF produced a stunning display of character to save two match points and grind her way into the last 16 of Wimbledon.
Fifteen-year-old Gauff had caught the imagination of the crowd on the back of her first two winds at the All-England Club.
But on her Centre Court debut she battled her way back from the brink of a humiliating exit to beat Polona Hercog 6-3 6-7 5-7 in a thriller.
Gauff looked to be heading for defeat as she was blown away in the first set and a half by her 28-year-old opponent from Slovenia.
The nerves of the occasion had clearly got to the American teenager, who slumped around the court as the wheels fell off.
But from nowhere she summoned the courage to change her tactics to confuse her hard-hitting opponent, and staged a remarkable fightback from the brink of defeat.
And she finally wore down her opponent in a match won as much by bottle as anything else to book a place in the fourth round against Grand Slam champion Simona Halep.
Hercog took the first set with ease as the child star got the jitters on the big occasion, and that hangover lasted until deep in the second set before she suddenly woke up.
Twice the Slovenian blew match points as the 15,000 packed into Centre Court willed the youngster on – and the nerves suddenly hit the more experienced player every time she drew close to getting the win.
The place erupted as Gauff came through the tie-break to snatch the second set, and Gauff grew in strength as the match went on – relishing the tension of the moment.
And after a topsy-turvy final set in which both players were broken, it was Gauff who came through on her first match point as Hercog sent a lob long, sparking wild celebrations from her and her parents up in the stands.
The teenager said: “I am super relieved it’s over. It was my first match on Centre Court.
“She played unbelievable tennis but I always knew I could come back. I just went for my shots.
“The crowd was amazing, even when I was down match point and I am grateful they believe in me.
“I am excited to play, but I think I have a mixed doubles match tomorrow.”
