Coco Gauff ousted by Jelena Ostapenko in Australian Open fourth round

Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia celebrates her victory against Coco Gauff of the US during their women’s singles match on day seven of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 22, 2023. (Photo by WILLIAM WEST / AFP)

Coco Gauff’s Australian Open ended on Sunday after the 18-year-old American prodigy was beaten in straight sets by former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko in the fourth round.

Ostapenko overcame a tight battle 7-5, 6-3 in one hour and 33 minutes on Margaret Court Arena to reach the quarter-finals at Melbourne Park for the first time.

The Latvian will now face Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, who opened the women’s draw by defeating world number one Iga Swiatek minutes earlier on Rod Laver Arena.

“I know she’s a very good player, super young and she’s playing well, but I’m really undefeated,” said Ostapenko, who won Roland Garros in 2017 and achieved her fifth WTA Tour title in Dubai last year.

“I just go there and try to show my best and try to fight for every point and make it difficult for them and I’m very happy with the way I played.”

Ostapenko, whose last Grand Slam quarter-final came at Wimbledon in 2018, has struggled with injuries in recent years and has yet to beat the 10th seed at the Australian Open.

“I’m trying to stay positive,” Ostapenko said. “And I know I have to play aggressively, even if I miss the ball.

Gauff has not dropped a set on the way to the last 16 and the match was a tight affair, with little to choose between the pair.

But the 25-year-old Ostapenko, who played the key points better, scored at the end of each set.

He broke Gauff at 6-5 to take the first, then again at 4-3 in the second.

“In the end, I think she handled the pressure and was able to win,” Ostapenko said.

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