Coco Gauff’s aura at big tournaments has been likened to that of tennis legend Serena Williams with the current world No 3 backed to give Aryna Sabalenka a run for her money for the 2025 Australian Open title.

Coco Gauff’s aura at big tournaments has been likened to that of tennis legend Serena Williams with the current world No 3 backed to give Aryna Sabalenka a run for her money for the 2025 Australian Open title.

The 20-year-old American took her unbeaten run to nine singles matches as she scored a solid 6-3, 7-5 win over Jodie Burrage in the second round of the season-opening Grand Slam.

World No 173 Burrage was on course to take the match to a decider as she was 3-5 up in the second set, but Gauff reeled off four consecutive games to move into the third round.

Having won her semi-final and final to claim the WTA Finals trophy at the end of the 2024 season, the world No 3 started this campaign with a 5-0 win at the United Cup as she steered the United States to the title.

The Gauff juggernaut is certainly hard to stop at the moment and former world No 7 Daniela Hutchanova admits the youngster reminds her of 23-time major winner Williams.

“She has got IT,” she said on Channel 9. “I feel like now that when she comes to the sites and walks around the tournament, a little bit the same feeling I had when Serena was around.

“You can’t explain what it is, it’s like that aura that has around her. The calmness, the confidence, just everything about Coco this year seems to be right.”

The American has defeated Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek at the WTA Finals last year and also defeated the Pole at the United Cup.

Two-time Melbourne champion Sabalenka is the overwhelming favourite, but Gauff has certainly put her hand up to challenge for the trophy.

Hutchanova added: “We talk about Sabalenka being the clear favourite, but if there is one player that can cause her real problems it is definitely Coco and I wouldn’t be surprised if she lifts the trophy this year.”

Gauff herself is happy that she was didn’t have it all her own way against Burrage and should put her in good stead for the third-round clash against 30th seed Leylah Fernandez.

“I think I like to be challenged, especially at the beginning of the year when you are maybe not as match ready as you are in the middle or the end. For me it is great to start off strong,” the third seed told the Australian broadcaster.

“I only expect the level to get higher and higher.”

She added: Sticking to what I know works and what I feel [but] obvioulsy trying to expand, trying to get better. Yes, I have had good results the past couple of weeks, but I am always looking to get better and always looking to add tools to my game.”