Coco Gauff progressed smoothly to the third round of the women’s singles at the 2026 Australian Open, showcasing a dominant performance at Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne Park. The world No. 3 secured her 251st WTA win by defeating Olga Danilović in straight sets with scores of 6-2, 6-2 in just 1 hour and 17 minutes. Gauff’s assertive play was evident as she quickly took control by winning five consecutive games in the first set.
Seventeen-year-old Gauff’s powerful shots and strategic playstyle allowed her to break serve and claim the first set 6-2, despite a late push from her opponent. In the second set, she capitalized on Danilović’s errors to establish a 3-0 lead. Despite Danilović’s efforts to rally, Gauff’s agility and anticipation on the court gave her the edge to secure the victory.
In the upcoming third round, an all-American clash awaits as Gauff is scheduled to meet Hailey Baptiste, marking their second career encounter and first since 2023. Meanwhile, Victoria Mboko, the seventeenth seed, also advanced to the third round after a straight-sets victory over Caty McNally. Mboko, who is competing with a wrapped right leg as a precautionary measure following a recent injury, is set to face Clara Tauson in the next round.
