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Coco Gauff was asked about winning against young rivals, and the American tennis star has refused to underestimate the younger opponents. The three-time Grand Slam champion advanced to the quarter-finals of the National Bank Open in Toronto on Monday with a dominant 6-3, 6-1 victory over 19-year-old Russian qualifier Alina Korneeva.
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Gauff refuses to underestimate young rivals after Toronto win
The fourth-seeded American needed just 75 minutes to dispatch the teenager on the hard courts at Sobeys Stadium. After an early break against her, Gauff quickly seized control, breaking Korneeva repeatedly and winning the majority of return points.
Speaking in the press conference after the win, Gauff explained her consistent success against younger opponents. She said:
“I felt people on tour when I was younger took me for granted because of my age, and that’s how I was able to sneak a lot of wins sometimes.”
Gauff added:
“So, because I had that experience, I know not to take their age for granted.”
The former US Open and French Open champion added that she stays especially alert against players she has never faced before, knowing they are unlikely to be overawed by the occasion. Gauff has now reached her fourth WTA 1000 quarter-final of the 2026 season and will next face a strong opponent named Belinda Bencic.
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