Fifteen-year-old qualifier Cori Gauff says 'I'm living my dream' after knocking out legendary Venus Williams
Tuesday 2 July 2019 06:18, UK
Teenage sensation Cori Gauff caused a monumental first-round shock by knocking out five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams in straight sets on Monday.
'Coco', 15, is the youngest player to come through qualifying in the Open era - 24 years younger than her opponent - and the young American played like a veteran to come through a dramatic encounter to win 6-4 6-4 on Court One.
Williams had already won four of her seven Grand Slam titles before Gauff was born, but in a battle of the generations it was Gauff who came out on top.
Speaking shortly after her victory, Gauff said she "didn't really know how to feel" after beating one of her tennis idols.
"I never thought this would happen, I'm literally living my dream right now, not many people get to say that," she said.
Gauff, who reached the showpiece of the girls' singles at the US Open in 2017 aged just 13 - making her the youngest ever finalist - showed tremendous composure, great speed, poise, and big-stage presence to defeat one of the greats in the women's game and put her own name on the map.
She served superbly, being broken only once, making just eight unforced errors compared to 25 for her 39-year-old opponent.
A break in the fifth game of the opening set, which included a delectable lob over the statuesque Williams, was enough to win her the first set.
The nerveless display continued in the second set and she sealed victory on her fourth match point when Williams netted a forehand, dropping to the court in disbelief.
Asked what Williams said to her after the match, Gauff said: "She just told me congratulations and to keep going and good luck.
"After the match I told her thank you for everything that you did, I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her and I was just telling her that she's so inspiring. I always wanted to tell her that."
Williams' defeat was just the second time she has been beaten in the first round at Wimbledon since her debut in 1997.
Asked about Gauff's future, Williams, who intends to return next year at 40, said: "I think the sky's the limit, it really is.
"She did everything well today. She put the ball in the court, which was much better than I did. She served well, moved well. It was a great match for her."
