By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Former World number 1 Venus Williams has been eliminated in just the first round of the 2020 Australian Open.
15-year old American Coco Gauff, one of the rising stars of this generation, handed Williams a straight-set defeat, 7-6, 6-3, in one of the most shocking upsets in Australian Open history.
Currently ranked at 67, Gauff cruised past her previous tournaments that helped boost her international ranking and earned a seat in the Grand Slam tourney.
The veteran Williams played placing ball in hopes of wearing out the younger Gauff but the tremendous motor and stamina the youngster had allowed her take the upper hand as she seemed to remain consistent with her pace of play since the first set.
Notching the much-needed momentum after taking the thrilling first set, Gauff then never looked back and continued to dictate the action and pressed closer to the net.
After breaking Williams’ serve for the first time in the second set, the young tennis prodigy became more aggressive in her baseline game and outlasted Williams in long rallies.
