Coco Gauff continued her wonderful Wimbledon campaign by moving into the fourth round with incredible comeback victory over Polona Hercog.
The 15-year-old American, who beat Venus Williams in the first round, saved two match points to beat Slovenian Hercog 3-6 7-6 (7) 7-5.
Getty Images – Getty
Gauff was already the youngest ever qualifier at the All England Club and looks set for a bright future.
She becomes the fifth youngest woman to reach the last-16 in the Open era.
And a number of sports stars hailed the teenager’s display on what was her Centre Court debut.
Former England cricket captain Alastair Cook, who was watching from the Royal Box, said Gauff is “extraordinary”.
Ex-Olympic rowing champion Dame Katherine Grainger described the teenager as “very exciting”.
LATEST SPORT NEWS
She added: “Being very much older now, I can look back to those very early days when it’s just pure excitement.
“The freedom that she plays with, I’m thrilled to see her do it live.”
Retired Irish rugby player Brian O’Driscoll praised the “phenomenal” Gauff for making it to the third round of the women’s singles competition.
“We’re going to hear a lot about her in the next 10 years,” he said.
Friday’s action was also expected to see Andy Murray and Serena Williams begin their mixed doubles campaign but their match against Andreas Mies and Alexa Guarachi will not take place until Saturday.
Elsewhere, Novak Djokovic needed four sets to book his place in the fourth round.
Getty Images – Getty
The defending men’s singles champion beat Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz 7-5 6-7 (5-7) 6-1 6-4 on No.1 Court.
Fourth seed Kevin Anderson was knocked out after losing in straight sets to Guido Pella, while former women’s world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki suffered a shock third-round exit, losing 6-4 6-2 to China’s Zhang Shuayi.
Source: TalkSport.com Tennis
