Coco Gauff has advanced to the Dubai Tennis Championships third round after defeating Anna Kalinskaya on Tuesday.
Gauff went into the match in poor form after being demolished by Elina Svitolina in Melbourne and upset by Elisabetta Cocciaretto in Doha.
The American left those losses in the past with victory against Kalinskaya, defeating the Russian 6-4, 6-4 in the United Arab Emirates.
With victory against Kalinskaya, Gauff has forced herself into a conversation alongside some of the greatest players in tennis history.
Coco Gauff surpasses Maria Sharapova
As per OptaAce, Coco Gauff has now reached the round of 16 31 times at Tier I / WTA-1000 events – passing Maria Sharapova’s total of 30.
Gauff had already eclipsed the totals of Caroline Wozniacki and Svetlana Kuznetsova, who reached the round of 16 at 28 and 26 WTA 1000 events, respectively.
Only Martina Hingis [pictured below] stands in the way of Gauff claiming the top spot. Hingis, a six-time major singles champion, made 44 WTA 1000 round of 16’s during her long career.
Gauff is set to play Elise Mertens in the round of 16. Mertens, a veteran of the WTA Tour, defeated Marie Bouzkova in the second round.
Gauff has a 4-0 record against Mertens, last defeating the Belgian 6-0, 6-2 at the 2024 Indian Wells Open.
Gauff has also defeated Mertens at the 2021 Eastbourne Open, 2022 French Open and 2023 US Open.
Gauff’s reaction to her victory in Qatar
After the contest, Gauff began by quickly noting what she did differently compared to her last meeting with Kalinskaya.
Before Monday’s match, Kalinskaya had won their only previous meeting at the 2024 Dubai Tennis Championships.
“Just trying to be more positive,” Gauff said. “Yeah, it wasn’t the prettiest win, but it was enough for today.”
Gauff then discussed the windy conditions in Dubai, before discussing her recovery.
She said: “Yeah it was pretty windy, I felt it a lot on that side so I was just trying to adjust and I think both of us were struggling with consistency on the court.
“I think all week… at least when I’ve been here, it’s not been windy. So a little bit today was a bit different.
“I mean, I feel fine. It wasn’t that long of a match today. I think it’s more so just trying to work on the things that I need for tomorrow’s match.”