Australian Open 2026: Coco Gauff completes emphatic comeback to reach the fourth round

Coco Gauff completed a remarkable turnaround at the 2026 Australian Open, booking her spot in the fourth round in spectacular style on Friday (23 January).

The third seeded tennis star took on fellow U.S. player Hailey Baptiste at the Margaret Court Arena, coming from behind to progress to the next round: 3-6, 6-0, 6-3.

Gauff started brightly, breaking serve to take the first game of the opening set. Baptiste hit back instantly, as the pair went toe-to-toe until 3-3.

At that point, Baptiste stamped her authority on the contest by pulling ahead and capitalising on a weak round of serving from her opponent to edge in front.

With her place in the tournament on the line, Gauff needed something special in the second set and that is exactly what she delivered.

It was a commanding display from the 21-year-old, who flipped the match on its head with her relentless returns and supreme ball control.

Game four, a 15-minute battle with several ferocious baseline rallies at the heart of it, proved to be decisive. Baptiste committed a number of unforced errors under Gauff’s pressure, with the latter clinching the game on her way to completing a flawless set.

Australian Open 2026: All results, full set scores

This unyielding third-round clash came down to its final set, with the third seed taking immediate control on the court.

But Baptiste hit back to end Gauff’s run of seven consecutive games, briefly keeping her compatriot within striking distance.

Holding serve in game nine, Gauff clinched her place in the last 16 of the Australian Open for the fifth time in her career.

“[Hailey] played so well in the first set, I wasn’t too upset [to drop it]. I just said: if she plays like this the whole match and I can’t raise my level, then good job to her,” she said, speaking on court.

“I was able to raise my level and I’m happy with how I stayed mentally calm through that.”

Gauff will take on Karolina Muchova in the fourth round at the 2026 Australian Open.

Click here to read article