Federer, Serena rate Coco Gauff’s chances against Osaka

Roger Federer and Serena Williams, two record Grand Slam winners have rated the chances of American teenage tennis sensation, 15 year-old Coco Gauff, as she faces World number one, Naomi Osaka.

The two young superstars will go head-to-head under the lights of the Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday night, to determine who goes into the fourth round of the US Open in New York.

Federer:

‘I mean, it’s going to be tough, you know,’ Federer said after his win over Dan Evans.

‘Obviously Osaka is going to be the favourite. She played so great here last year already. ‘But, you know, I think playing at home, there is always a shot and a chance, and she’s done so well again here this tournament. I think we’re all a bit surprised that she’s able to back it up after Wimbledon, you know, which was already an incredible run.

‘Yeah, she’s got the pressure that she can’t play every week like some other touring pros. She only plays sometimes. So when you play, you feel like maybe there is extra pressure, but she’s able to handle it and dig deep and find ways to win. Federer gave his verdict

‘Again, the same thing yesterday, crowds were really going with her. For her to strive in those conditions shows she’s going to have a great future ahead of herself. I like that also she’s taking her days off, she’s really taking days off and not doing extra media and extra stuff. Let her parents do that stuff. You know, let her relax. ‘It’s going to be a big day tomorrow(today). I wish her all the best, of course. And I was watching yesterday. It was exciting.’

Serena Williams.

‘I think she’s just incredibly talented, you know,’ Williams said.

‘I think anyone that’s 15 playing like that, people are going to be drawn to them. I think that’s pretty awesome.

‘I think she’s really pretty cool. I love her excitement on the court. I don’t know what everyone else thinks. I can only tell you what I think. I’m a big fan of hers. I have said that since day one. I love her parents. I think she has a good family, and I think it starts there. It makes for a great athlete and a great person.

‘I think it will be a really interesting match. I definitely am interested to watch.

‘What do I make of it? I don’t know. I think it’s super exciting tennis. Coco is obviously much, much younger than Naomi, if you could say that, because Naomi is incredibly young. But it’s shocking to say that Coco is about six years younger. ‘I definitely think it’s the future of women’s tennis. And I’m really excited to just be a fan girl and kind of watch.