Emma Raducanu says she is anticipating a “nice match” in opposition to Coco Gauff on the Australian Open on Wednesday, whereas Barry Cowan has referred to as the second-round conflict “intriguing”.
The assembly will pit in all probability the 2 greatest younger stars within the sport in opposition to one another, with each having transcended tennis in a approach that even dominating world No 1 Iga Swiatek has not but managed.
US Open champion Raducanu regarded tried early on throughout her opening match in opposition to German Tamara Korpatsch in Melbourne earlier than settling in to finish a 6-3 6-2 win, whereas Gauff additionally raced into the second spherical after seeing off Katerina Siniakova 6-1 6- 4.
Though she is sort of a 12 months and a half older then Gauff, who continues to be solely 18, Raducanu must also really feel a sure freedom given the American is much more skilled and the seventh seed.
“I am actually trying ahead to this match,” mentioned the British No 1 forward of the much-anticipated showdown. “I am very up for it. Coco has clearly executed lots of nice issues and she or he’s taking part in nicely.
“I believe we’re each good, younger gamers, we’re each coming by, a part of the following era of tennis, actually. It may be an amazing match.”
Gauff has constructed on her exceptional breakthrough as a 15-year-old at Wimbledon in 2019, when she reached the fourth spherical, gaining expertise after which stepping up final season by making the French Open last.
Raducanu is an admirer of {the teenager}, saying: “When she first got here (by) at Wimbledon, I believe after that it took her a bit bit to regulate as nicely, however then she undoubtedly discovered her toes.
“She’s taking part in actually good tennis and looking out actually strong proper now. She’s an amazing athlete with some huge weapons. It may be a tricky opponent.”
“It is a popcorn match. Not too many individuals would have thought the Raducanu would win the primary main forward of Coco Gauff. So Gauff will go into that pondering ‘oh, I’ve acquired a degree to show right here’ and Raducanu will even be pondering, ‘nicely, you already know, I might need the Grand Slam, however I additionally need your rating proper now’ so that is what makes this actually intriguing”
Raducanu has not been overwhelmed with associates within the locker room however Gauff is somebody who has been heat in direction of her, recognizing what a difficult scenario the Bromley star discovered herself in after her gorgeous breakthrough triumph.
“I discuss to her just about in any respect the tournaments,” mentioned Gauff. “I did not actually know her that nicely in juniors, however I’ve acquired to speak to her extra on tour now.
“Clearly she’s gone by lots of stress, bursting onto the scene. I really feel like in all probability greater than I’ve skilled coming to win a Slam.
“And particularly I really feel like being from the UK, being the primary British particular person to do one thing in a very long time, in all probability is much more stress than what I am used to being an American. Serena is retired now however she was all the time the American that individuals regarded to.”
Cowan believes Coco is closing in on Grand Slam glory
Gauff was runner-up to Poland’s Iga Swiatek in final 12 months’s French Open last
TV analyst Barry Cowan feels Gauff has grown in stature since her run to Wimbledon as 15-year-old 4 years in the past and she or he is now within the brink of successful her maiden Grand Slam title.
However he says making the leap relies on how the younger American can deal with the stress.
Chatting with Sky Sports activitieshe mentioned: “I truly suppose Coco is the one who I believe is getting very near successful a significant and she or he goes to win a significant.
“Allow us to see how that service and let’s have a look at how that forehand is underneath actual stress as a result of the backhand is superb, and bodily, she’s superb.
“Mentally, she’s off the charts. The composition that she has is similar to (Carlos) Alcaraz. She’s going to feed off the vitality of the group. The gang will feed off the vitality of Coco. So I believe she’s acquired a very, actually good shot of getting shut and doubtlessly successful her first main.”
Nonetheless, Cowan does have doubts about Gauff’s forehand which badly faltered underneath stress throughout her French Open defeat to Iga Swiatek.
He added: “If I used to be assured the serve and the forehand might maintain up underneath stress, I would say for me, she’s head and shoulders second favorite, however there may be nonetheless a bit little bit of doubt in my thoughts.
“Within the French Open last, that was all the time more likely to occur as a result of Swiatek was capable of bully Coco due to these areas of a sport that I discussed that the perfect gamers can exhibit.”