Thrill-seeking Coco Gauff has rocketed down the fastest serve of the women’s tournament en route to a rapid-fire entry to the Australian Open fourth round in Melbourne.<\/p>\n
The reigning US Open champion cast friendship aside in a commanding 6-0 6-2 victory over fellow American Alycia Parks on Margaret Court Arena on Friday.<\/p>\n
Gauff clocked one delivery at 199kph but was more pleased about converting all five break points against her 23-year-old compatriot.<\/p>\n
“It’s tough because she’s a big server, so you’re not going to be able to strike as much as you want to,” said fourth seed Gauff.<\/p>\n
“I did a good job with that and also mixing the height and the pace of the ball.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n “She’s a big hitter, she likes it fast. So I was just trying my best to be aggressive when I could but also just playing with margin.”<\/p>\n Despite the one-sided victory, Gauff is predicting a bright future for Parks, who broke through to claim her maiden WTA Tour title last season in Lyon.<\/p>\n “I’m really happy with how I played today,” Gauff said.<\/i><\/u><\/p>\n “The scoreline says different, but she’s a tough player. She hits the ball big and I’ve known her since I was like nine or eight years old, winning games in casino<\/a> probably even younger than that.<\/p>\n “This was our first time ever playing, juniors or pro, but hopefully we can have many more matches in the future.”<\/p>\n Riding a 10-match grand slam winning streak, and yet to lose in 2024 after taking the title in Auckland, Gauff has yet to drop a set this campaign and needed only a total of four hours, 20 minutes on court to make the second week.<\/p>\n Such efficiency has left the Crown-loving 19-year-old with more down time, and resisting the urge to hit the tables seems to have been more of a battle than her Open rivals so far.<\/p>\n “I have not gone to the casino<\/a> yet, but I did last year and I won in roulette so I can see how people get addicted to that,” said Gauff, who bungee-jumped off the 53-story-tall Auckland Sky Tower in new slots machines games<\/a> Zealand.<\/p>\n “But here we’ve been doing mini golf, escape rooms, eating a lot and just watching the tennis.<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n “I always enjoy Melbourne. It reminds me of Florida a little bit with the weather and the crowds here are very nice.<\/p>\n “We love being here in Australia.”<\/p>\n