Sawt Falasteen - Impressive Gauff storms into Australian Open third round

The 21-year-old emphatically won the first five games to stamp her authority on the contest and cruised home 6-2, 6-2 on Margaret Court Arena.

It set up showdown next against fellow American Hailey Baptiste, ranked 70, who downed home hope Storm Hunter in straight sets.

"Near perfect," said Gauff, whose best performance in Melbourne was a semi-final in 2024.

As in her first-round win, the two-time major winner's return of serve was her most potent weapon, helping her race 5-0 clear before Danilovic got on the board.

Gauff's first-round march was marred by too many unforced errors and slew of double faults, but she cut them down and began the second set as she finished the first.

Breaking the 69th-ranked Serb immediately, she consolidated and Danilovic, who made the last 16 in 2025, had no answers, crumbling under the onslaught.

Gauff hit 14 winners and made 17 unforced errors, with just one double-fault.

D.AbuRida--SF-PST