Gauff powers into Australian Open 3rd round

MELBOURNE, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- American third seed Coco Gauff marched through to the Australian Open third round after a straight-sets demolition of Olga Danilovic on Wednesday.

The two-time Grand Slam champion hit 14 winners, including several well-executed drop shots, in her crushing 6-2, 6-2 victory in one hour and 17 minutes.

On a sun-baked Margaret Court Arena, the reigning French Open champion served well and her ability to extend rallies led a flustered Danilovic into 34 unforced errors.

It was a disappointment for 69th-ranked Danilovic, who emerged triumphantly against 45-year-old Venus Williams in a first round classic.

The 21-year-old Gauff is on the same side of the draw as world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, with the rivals on a semifinal collision course.

Gauff will play compatriot Hailey Baptiste in the third round. ■