Coco Gauff took on a tricky opponent in the second round of the 2023 Madrid Open but she successfully navigated the challenge.
The 25-year-old Spanish player, Irene Burillo Escorihuela received a last-minute wild card for the qualifying and she succeeded in beating two opponents to book her spot in the main draw of the WTA 1000 event. Then, she also defeated Kaia Kanepi in the first round to set up a second-round clash with the sixth-seeded Coco Gauff.
The young American was coming to Madrid after losing to Anastasia Potpova in Stuttgart, an opponent that seems to be troubling her this season. But last year, Gauff won 10 of 14 matches that she played on the red dirt, including a run into the Roland Garros final, and so she wanted to showcase her qualities again in Madrid.
The 19-year-old entered the clay-court season without a coach, working only with her dad, but that doesn't seem to be troubling her. But in the second round of the 2023 Madrid Open, her opponent had a better start to the match.
The Spaniard broke her opponent's serve twice in the first five games and after over 20 minutes of play, she led 4-2 in the first set. But Gauff, who knows how to use doubles experience in crucial moments, wasn't willing to give up the opening set easily and won the following four games to take the first set 6-4.
She continued to dominate her opponent also in the second set, saving two break points on her serve, but using two of the break points that she had on her opponent's serve. That meant that Gauff quickly earned a 5-0 lead and could look to seal the deal on her next service game.
The American managed to do exactly that and win the match 6-4, 6-1 in an hour and 18 minutes to set up a third-round clash with the winner of the match between the 26th-seeded Paula Badosa and Elisabetta Cocciaretto.
