Coco Gauff has emerged as an equal favourite alongside defending champion Aryna Sabalenka to win the Australian Open, which begins on Sunday.
The 20-year-old American heads to Melbourne in scintillating form after clinching both singles and mixed doubles titles at the United Cup with Team USA.
"Clearly Sabalenka has let everybody know she's the favorite going in, but also Coco Gauff looks to me as equal as a favorite as I've seen in a Grand Slam for a while," ESPN analyst Rennae Stubbs said on Tuesday.
Gauff dominated the United Cup, winning all six of her matches without dropping a set.
Her most notable victory came against world No. 2 Iga Swiatek, whom she defeated 6-4, 6-4 in the final, marking her second consecutive win over the Polish star.
The American's impressive run included victories over Leylah Fernandez, Donna Vekic, Zhang Shuai and Karolina Muchova.
After each triumph, Gauff delighted Sydney crowds with her signature shovel celebration.
Stubbs believes Gauff is playing the best tennis of her career, particularly praising her improved forehand technique.
"She is hitting the forehand with such confidence, she's not freaking out when the ball is going there," Stubbs noted.
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"Her biggest issue is her second serve, and at the United Cup, her serve was really solid and good."
The former coach highlighted Gauff's mental strength, noting the significance of her consecutive victories over Swiatek.
Gauff's recent success extends beyond the United Cup, having claimed the WTA Finals title in December with a victory over Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen.
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Tennis legend John McEnroe praised her current form: "Coco seems to be sort of getting her mojo back and playing as well as she played, or close to it, as when she won the U.S. Open."
Former US champion Andy Roddick predicted a big year ahead for Gauff, particularly noting her off-season commitment to improving her serve.
Gauff enters the Australian Open with unwavering confidence in her abilities.
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"I have the belief that I'm one of the best players in the world. When I play good tennis, I'm hard to beat," Gauff declared after her United Cup triumph.
The path to victory in Melbourne could include another showdown with Sabalenka, whom Gauff defeated 7-6, 6-3 in their last meeting at the WTA Finals.
The tournament's courts are reportedly faster than Sydney's, which could favour the defending champion Sabalenka.
Find Out More...
The 20-year-old American heads to Melbourne in scintillating form after clinching both singles and mixed doubles titles at the United Cup with Team USA.
"Clearly Sabalenka has let everybody know she's the favorite going in, but also Coco Gauff looks to me as equal as a favorite as I've seen in a Grand Slam for a while," ESPN analyst Rennae Stubbs said on Tuesday.
Gauff dominated the United Cup, winning all six of her matches without dropping a set.
Her most notable victory came against world No. 2 Iga Swiatek, whom she defeated 6-4, 6-4 in the final, marking her second consecutive win over the Polish star.
The American's impressive run included victories over Leylah Fernandez, Donna Vekic, Zhang Shuai and Karolina Muchova.
After each triumph, Gauff delighted Sydney crowds with her signature shovel celebration.
Stubbs believes Gauff is playing the best tennis of her career, particularly praising her improved forehand technique.
"She is hitting the forehand with such confidence, she's not freaking out when the ball is going there," Stubbs noted.
JUST IN: Tyson Fury receives green light for blockbuster boxing rematch just weeks after Oleksandr Usyk defeat
"Her biggest issue is her second serve, and at the United Cup, her serve was really solid and good."
The former coach highlighted Gauff's mental strength, noting the significance of her consecutive victories over Swiatek.
Gauff's recent success extends beyond the United Cup, having claimed the WTA Finals title in December with a victory over Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen.
READ MORE: Luke Littler receives special invite just days after outstanding World Darts Championship win
Tennis legend John McEnroe praised her current form: "Coco seems to be sort of getting her mojo back and playing as well as she played, or close to it, as when she won the U.S. Open."
Former US champion Andy Roddick predicted a big year ahead for Gauff, particularly noting her off-season commitment to improving her serve.
Gauff enters the Australian Open with unwavering confidence in her abilities.
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"I have the belief that I'm one of the best players in the world. When I play good tennis, I'm hard to beat," Gauff declared after her United Cup triumph.
The path to victory in Melbourne could include another showdown with Sabalenka, whom Gauff defeated 7-6, 6-3 in their last meeting at the WTA Finals.
The tournament's courts are reportedly faster than Sydney's, which could favour the defending champion Sabalenka.
Find Out More...