AO - Night 5 - Osaka v Gauff

For 15 year old American CoCo Gauff, the first match on Night Five on RLA, 2020 AO, would be her debut on this court in a Grand Slam tournament. Her task ? Simply to defeat the reigning AO champion Naomi Osaka.

Gauff served first, and other than a pair of Osaka forehand winners, held with poise. Osaka imposed her heavy hitting early and levelled at 1-1. Gauff matched the power, and a winning backhand highlighted her next service game. Games three and four were decided to love, and Gauff led 3-2. 

Serving at 3-4, Osaka led 30-15, but two unforced backhand errors from the third seed gave Gauff a break chance. It was gifted to her when Osaka found the net for a third time. Gauff would serve for the set in front of a stunned crowd.

A smart serve out wide caught Osaka flat footed, then the Japanese backhand failed again. 30-0. Yet again a backhand hit the net and Gauff had three set points. The Osaka backhand landed wide and a schoolgirl was half way to showing the defending champion the exit gate. 6-3.

Osaka began set two with an ace. But the unforced errors continued to flow, and 15-30 presented danger time. Gauff missed a chance to pass Osaka at the net, but it didn’t matter because next a careless Osaka volley stuff up donated break point to the American. No need for Gauff to do anything special, as Osaka was currently a wreck. A forehand disaster confirmed a service break, and Gauff steamed ahead, up by a set and a break.

Sensing something amazing could be happening, Gauff may have let the occasion affect her, because at 40-15, about to consolidate the break, a double fault entered the mix. Osaka sensed an opportunity and volleyed successfully twice to create a break back point.

That was saved, but not a second, created with another double fault. Gauff lost her serve when she dumped a backhand into the net.

The disappointment didn’t last long and for the next four games, serve was held. Osaka led 3-3 and was at the line.

Osaka hit the net with her backhand and then hit long with the same shot. 0-30. Another terrible shot hit the net. Three break points. One saved with a forehand winner down the line. The break arrived though with a backhand into the net.

Gauff served a second love game in succession, all based on Osaka mistakes, but the serving was excellent in any case, and probably had an effect.

Osaka served at 3-5 to stay alive in the tournament, and managed the task, at least the forehand working for her.

Gauff had no difficulty serving for the match, Osaka offering little resistance, only three errors. The first of three match points was converted when Osaka appropriately hit the net. 

CoCo Gauff won easily 6-3 6-4 and the future, while extremely over hyped, does look bright for this talented young player.

Osaka, as defending champion, was a monumental disappointment, sulking her way through most of the match, appearing not to have the determination or heart to fight back. There was a certain acceptance of defeat in her body language - not a good look.