Did Gauff Overcome Baptiste? Jovic Shocks Paolini!
Synopsis
Coco Gauff's comeback from a set down leads her to victory over Hailey Baptiste at the Australian Open, while Iva Jovic delivers a surprising defeat to No. 7 seed Jasmine Paolini. This thrilling tournament sees rising stars making their mark in Melbourne.
Key Takeaways
Coco Gauff fought back to win against Hailey Baptiste .
She achieved her 77th Grand Slam victory in her 100th Major .
Gauff is now in the Round of 16 at the Australian Open .
Iva Jovic delivered a significant upset against Jasmine Paolini .
Gauff will face Muchova next for a spot in the quarterfinals.
Melbourne, Jan 23 (NationPress) World No. 3 American Coco Gauff had to elevate her performance during her third-round clash against fellow American Hailey Baptiste, ultimately claiming victory with a score of 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 to advance to the fourth round of the Australian Open on Friday.
This marks her 77th Grand Slam match win, achieved in her 100th Major match. Among active players, only Venus Williams (85) and Iga Swiatek (83) have recorded more victories in their first 100 Grand Slam matches, while Aryna Sabalenka also reached 77 wins at this milestone.
Gauff joins an elite group as the ninth player in the Open Era to participate in their 100th women’s singles Grand Slam main-draw match before turning 22, alongside legends such as Mary Joe Fernandez, Steffi Graf, Martina Hingis, Gabriela Sabatini, Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams, and Venus Williams.
Baptiste's forehand posed an early challenge for Gauff, who saw her opponent produce six out of 12 winners from that side, ultimately taking the first set 6-3. However, the 21-year-old swiftly regained momentum, delivering a stunning bagel in the second set to push the match to a decisive third set, marking her 11th 6-0 set in Grand Slam history. Only Swiatek (32) has more such sets since Gauff's debut in 2019, while Sabalenka matches her at 11.
In the final set, Gauff and Baptiste exchanged holds for the first five games until Gauff broke for a 4-2 lead. Relying heavily on her forehand, she powered through the finish line to secure her spot in the Round of 16.
As she looks to maintain her impressive record at the Australian Open, Gauff will face the No. 19 seed and AO 2021 semifinalist Muchova for a chance to reach her third consecutive AO quarterfinal.
In another notable development, 18-year-old Iva Jovic pulled off a stunning upset by defeating No. 7 seed Jasmine Paolini with a score of 6-2, 7-6(3). This victory propels No. 29 seed Jovic into the second week of a major for the first time in just her sixth attempt and marks her first victory over a Top 10 player in four encounters.
Point of View
I believe these matches highlight the thrilling unpredictability of tennis, especially during a Grand Slam. Gauff’s resilience and Jovic’s upset reflect the depth of talent in women's tennis today. The Australian Open continues to showcase emerging stars and seasoned champions, making it a must-watch event for sports enthusiasts.
NationPress
2 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Gauff vs. Baptiste?
Coco Gauff won the match against Hailey Baptiste with a score of 3-6, 6-0, 6-3.
Who did Gauff defeat to reach the fourth round?
Gauff defeated fellow American Hailey Baptiste to advance to the fourth round.
What significant milestone did Gauff achieve?
Gauff recorded her 77th Grand Slam match win in her 100th Major match.
What is the next challenge for Gauff?
Gauff will face No. 19 seed Muchova in her quest for a place in the quarterfinals.
