Top-seed Coco Gauff admitted there were "things to improve" as she overcame a mid-match wobble to beat fellow American Claire Liu in straight-sets in the first round of the Auckland Classic on Tuesday. World number three Gauff raced to a 4-0 lead over Liu, ranked 92 places lower, before the fluidity slipped from her game. Gauff broke twice more from 3-2 in the second to move into the second-round meeting with 16-year-old Czech Brenda Fruhvirtova. "There's obviously things I can do to improve but I'm happy with the win," she said, looking ahead to the Australian Open, which begins on January 14. Former world number three Svitolina won the opening two games before Wozniacki fought back to lead 4-3.

Source: Hindustan Times January 02, 2024 20:40 UTC