“I’m Going to be More Aggressive” – Coco Gauff Ready for Naomi Osaka

American teenage sensation Coco Gauff recovered from a set down to defeat Sorana Cirstea 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 in the second round of the Australian Open 2020 on Wednesday. With this victory, Gauff sets up a meeting with defending champion Naomi Osaka in the round of 32. What will be her mindset coming into the match against? Gauff answers.

Playing her first Australian Open, the World No.67 was 3-0 down in the final set. However, she fought back hard to win the match in two hours and six minutes.

“I’m going to be more aggressive”: Coco Gauff

“It’s amazing. Honestly, I didn’t think I would get so much support in Australia. I was down 3-0 and you really made me believe. It was emotional” Gauff told Melbourne Arena in the on-court interview.

In a repeat match of the US Open last year, Coco will face Osaka in the next round. The Japanese star defeated the fast-rising Gauff in straight sets 6-3, 6-0 in the US Open 2019 third round.

“She’s a great competitor so I think it’s going to be a good match. I think I’ll be less nervous this time,” Gauff said of her looming showdown with the two-time Grand Slam champion.

The 15-year-old recalled her match with Naomi in New York and said: “I think at the US Open I was nervous. It was my first time on the Arthur Ashe Stadium. We’re both familiar with each other’s games. She plays really aggressive. This time coming in I’m going to be more aggressive.”

Also Read: “My Mission is To Be The Greatest” – Coco Gauff After Beating Venus Williams at Australian Open 2020

“If I lose the world is not going to end”: Gauff

Gauff also revealed that her mindset has always been nothing to lose really. The American was ranked pretty high in juniors and she was technically supposed to win. However, the World No.67 explained that she still felt like she had nothing to lose in her juniors.

“I still feel that now,” she said. “I think my mindset just is I’m going to fight. If I lose, the world is not going to end. I’m going to have another match in maybe a week or so.”

“I think it’s just less pressure to win. I feel like, for me, I’m not trying to win so much but trying to play my best tennis on the court. Winning comes with that if I play well,” Gauff concluded.

It will be interesting to watch how the defending champion plays against a carefree Gauff on Friday.