One of the most intriguing third round matches at the 2020 Australian Open appears to be on the ladies side. That is where you will find two-time grand slam singles champion and defending Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka of Japan up against the 15 year-old American sensation Coco Gauff.
However before you try to hype up this match as must-see and one of the Australian Open classics, one must realize one thing. In their only prior matchup, Osaka just did not beat Gauff, she steamrolled her. In winning 6-0, 6-3, Osaka hammered Gauff in only one hour and five minutes.
To be honest most times when the loser only wins three games in an entire match, the match lasts less than 45 minutes. So, it could have been considered a bit of an achievement for Gauff that the match went over the one hour mark.
Osaka beat Gauff in straight sets easily only four months ago, and one should believe that Osaka should have no problems again. In the match, Osaka had 56 total points and 24 winners, compared to Gauff’s 35 total points and eight winners.
In the 2020 Australian Open to date, Gauff did beat seven-time grand slam champion Venus Williams in straight sets 7-6, 6-3. However one must realize that Venus Williams is 39 years old and has not won a major since winning Wimbledon in 2008. Gauff then beat Sorana Cirstea of Romania 4-6, 6-3, 7-5.
Osaka meanwhile beat Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic 6-2, 6-4 in the first round and doubles specialist Saisai Zheng of China 6-2, 6-4 in the second round. There is no doubt that Gauff is a rising tennis star. Just not yet. Take Osaka with confidence in straight sets.
