World No. 19 Cori Gauff says she is feeling super good in Adelaide as she is hoping to win it all this week and then try to make a deep run at the Australian Open. Gauff, seeded at No. 3, saw off Ana Konjuh 6-3 6-4 to reach the semifinal at Adelaide 2.
“Yeah, I’ve been feeling super good my whole two weeks so far in Adelaide,” Gauff said post-match. “I’m hoping to continue that momentum through the rest of this tournament and through all the Australian Open.
“I’m super excited for this year. I really do feel like I had a good pre-season and I feel really confident on the court. “Even though like the pre-season was two months, I feel like I improved so much during those couple months of training.
I’m hoping that I can show that to you guys and show that to myself in the matches”.
Gauff doesn’t want to be too hard on herself
Gauff is currently the youngest player inside the top-200 and after Adelaide she will be the highest-ranked teenager on tour.
Gauff was asked if she ever takes a step back and allows herself to have perspective on how special and extraordinary is what she is doing at 17. “I think I’m trying to do better in stepping back and looking at all the good things that I’ve done.
I think like as a champion, obviously most champions are pretty hard on themselves, but not to the point where you are almost beating yourself up. I think that’s where I was making my mistakes and sometimes I even still do,” Gauff said, per WTA Insider.
“I think it’s important to celebrate your wins. I’m trying to do a better job of trying to celebrate my wins.” On Thursday, Gauff blew an early first set break but broke Konjuh again before serving out for the opener in the ninth game.
Gauff also blew an early break in the second set but broke Konjuh again in the seventh game, before serving out for the match in the 10th game.