Coco Gauff powers past injury-hindered tennis mum Elena Vesnina as teenage sensation aims to repeat Wimbledon heroics
TEENAGER Coco Gauff made light work of tennis mum Elena Vesnina to waltz into the third round.
The 17-year-old American sensation was far too strong for her Russian opponent, who only recently returned from maternity leave, coming through 6-4 6-3.
Gauff created Cocomania at Wimbledon two years ago when she reached the fourth round aged just 15.
The Atlanta-born whizkid said: “The last time I was on this court, I don’t think too many people knew my name.
“I feel like now, it feels a little bit like home here.
“Back in 2019 I was enjoying the experience. Now I am enjoying it but also really learning from it.
“I’m coming into these matches really believing I can win. Now I am so much more confident on the court.”
Vesnina came back to tennis this year, having left the game in late 2018 to have a baby.
The 34-year-old has won the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open in doubles, as well as reaching the SW19 singles semi-finals five years ago.
But Gauff is not just a fantastic prospect but a top player already who is ranked No23 in the world.
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She had seen off Brit Fran Jones with little difficulty in the first round and was largely untroubled here too.
Gauff capitalised on a break to take the first set before going a double break up in second.
She was broken for the first time in the tournament as Vesnina rallied following a medical time-out to receive back treatment.
But in the end the youngster kept her cool to close it out in straight sets, powering down nine aces in the process.
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