Wimbledon 2024 Women’s Day 3

Coco Gauff dominated in a battle of youth, defeating an opponent half a year younger than her own 20 years to move into the Wimbledon third round on Wednesday.

The second seed was unaffected by the light rain which delayed the start of play on outside courts for a few hours, stepping out under the roof of Court No. 1 to defeat teenaged Romanian qualifier Anca Todoni 6-2, 6-1.

Gauff, the reigning US Open champion from last autumn, is the youngest Top 2 seed at Wimbledon since Maria Sharapova in 2007.

The only player to reach the semi-finals at the previous three Slams was untroubled by a 142nd-ranked opponent playing only her second Tour-level match on grass.

Gauff finished off a 5-1 lead in the opening set and raced away with the second to advance in 66 minutes. 

“I’m happy with how I played, it could have cleaner at some moments but I’m glad to reach the third round,” the winner said a year after losing in the first  round here.

“It was a lot slower today with just the conditions. But overall I still felt
good.”

Gauff moved into a match with British qualifier Sonay Kartal, a 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 winner over Clara Burel of France.

“It will be tough to face a Brit obviously, especially on grass,” the seed said. “They always do really well, but especially in this environment.

Britain’s Emma Raducanu continued her comeback after long-term injury, advancing to the third round over Belgian Elise Mertens, 6-1, 6-2 in 75 minutes.

The unseeded former US Open champion extended the grass-court progress she made with last week’s Eastbourne quarter-final as she overwhelmed the Belgian ranked 33rd.

“It feels unbelievable, I played some really good tennis today,” Raducanu said. “I’m really pleased.

“I’m over the moon to be playing here and extending my stay. I took care of my business and did what I needed to do.

“I’m glad all the hard yards and improvement I’ve made have led to something here at Wimbledon.”

Wild card four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka was bundled out on a day of intermittent drizzle and interruptions, losing 6-4, 6-1 to Emma Navarro.  

US 11th seed Danielle Collins, who is due to retire this season; defeated Dane Clara Tauson 6-3, 7-6 (4) in one and three-quarter hours.

Two-time semi-finalist Elina Svitolina stopped Poland’s Magda Linette 7-5, 6-7 (9), 6-3.

Main photo:-Down and out, Naomi Osaka loses second round match by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd