Choo Gauff sent a message to her opponents at the 2024 Indian Wells Open by beating Elise Mertens to make it to the quarterfinals on her 20th birthday, Wednesday.
In the round of 16 at the WTA 1000 event, the US Open champion beat the world’s No. 28 player easily 6-0, 6-2. This helped her keep her hopes alive for a second title at this level.
Gauff only lost 10 points as she sped through the first set without dropping a game. When she took a 2-0 lead in the second set, it looked like she might get a double bagel.
However, Mertens broke the American to win the first game and tie the second set at 2-2.
However, Gauff won the next four games easily and won the match in just over an hour and a half.
The world No. 3’s easy win over the 28-year-old Belgian was a great way to enjoy her 20th birthday. She also made it to her second quarterfinal in Indian Wells; she got there last year as well.
Gauff’s win came after 22-year-old American Emma Navarro beat world No. 2 and Australian Open winner Aryna Sabalenka in three sets to start the day.
Gauff won her 19th straight match on American hard courts. During the on-court interview, the microphone wasn’t working, so the reporter climbed up on the umpire’s chair to wish Gauff a happy birthday.
The 20-year-old did talk about her win and her present level in an interview for Sky Sports with former world No. 4 Tim Henman.
The American said, “I played really well today. It was my best match of the tournament so far, and I’m pleased to have won on my birthday.”
“To be honest, I thought I played my best tennis last year at the Cincinnati and [Washington] DC tournaments, so I guess that’s what I’ll compare it to.” I think I’m almost at that level. When I play like that, it’s obviously hard to beat me. “At the US Open, I thought I played well at times, but I think that last match (against Sabalenka in the final) was more of a mental win for me.”
On the third round in Indian Wells, Gauff will play either Diane Parry or Maria Sakkari.
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