Coco Gauff sets up blockbuster Cincinnati clash with Naomi Osaka

By IANS
CINCINNATI: Coco Gauff of the United States reached the second round of the Western & Southern Open after dispatching veteran Hsieh Su-wei of Chinese Taipei, 6-1, 6-2, to set up a blockbuster showdown with No.2 seed Naomi Osaka here on Wednesday.
World No. 14 Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, who won the title when the event was played in New York last season, got past big-hitting Russian Liudmila Samsonova, 6-2, 6-3, in their first-round battle.
In their first meeting, 17-year-old Coco fended off the challenge of 35-year-old Hsieh to claim a spot in the second round of the event for the first time in her career, after exactly an hour of play.
Coco had 20 winners to 16 unforced errors, while Hsieh’s 11 winners were undone by 19 unforced errors. Gauff also took utmost advantage on break points, converting five of six on the day.
“I think I did well just focusing on my side of the court,” Coco said after her win. “She hits a crazy shot, and trying to not let that get into my head, because she’s talented and she will hit great shots.”


