On Wednesday, Coco Gauff Dominates Danilovic in Second Round of the Australian Open 2026 with a commanding performance at Margaret Court Arena. Facing Serbian player Olga Danilovic for the very first time, the American star cruised to a victory in straight sets, finishing with a scoreline of 6-2, 6-2.
While Danilovic had managed a comeback victory against Venus Williams in the opening round, she found herself overpowered by the No. 3 seed. Gauff’s superior agility, court control, and thunderous groundstrokes kept her opponent off balance throughout the contest, which wrapped up in just one hour and 17 minutes. Reflecting on her near-flawless performance, Gauff noted that aside from a missed backhand that would have put her up 5-0, she felt her execution was perfect.
Strategic Adjustments on the Court
The 21-year-old is increasingly open to varying her shot selection as the tournament progresses. Her next challenge will be against fellow American Hailey Baptiste, who advanced after defeating Australian qualifier Storm Hunter.
Gauff admitted that she has a complicated relationship with the drop shot. She joked that while she often thinks it’s a bad idea in her head, the execution usually works out in her favor. In her opening match, she successfully landed around seven drop shots—a personal record—and maintained a 100% success rate with them against Danilovic. Interestingly, she noted that despite her coach’s advice to avoid drop shots during high-pressure points, she utilized them specifically during those tense moments on Wednesday, and the gamble paid off.
Refining a Championship Game Style
Following the match, Gauff appeared at a press conference dressed casually in khaki shorts and a white t-shirt, letting her performance speak louder than fashion statements. While much of the media inquiry focused on her philanthropic and political stances, she also provided insight into how her game is evolving.
Gauff reflected that she has moved away from the idea that she needs to be “ultra-aggressive” and hit completely flat balls. Instead, she is finding success by adopting a style more similar to the men’s circuit—using more spin, hitting heavier shots, and taking up more space on the court. This adjustment has allowed her to feel more comfortable and avoid passivity during tight moments in matches.
Preparing for a Familiar Foe
Comparing her second-round win to her opener, Gauff observed significant improvements, particularly regarding her serve and groundstrokes. She noted that while the scoreboard in both matches looked similar, her first round involved several marathon games that swung back and forth at deuce. Against Danilovic, she was much more efficient at closing games out quickly.
Looking ahead, the French Open champion is building serious momentum in Melbourne. She expressed genuine excitement about her upcoming match against Baptiste. Gauff highlighted their long shared history, noting how special it is to see peers she grew up with succeeding on tour. Acknowledging that both of them have improved significantly since their last meeting, Gauff expects a challenge but remains proud that they have both reached this stage of the major tournament.
Saurabh is a passionate tennis content writer and lifelong fan of the game. Whether it’s Grand Slam showdowns or under-the-radar rising stars, Saurabh brings the court to life with sharp analysis, breaking news, and deep-dive features. When they aren’t covering matches, you can find them practicing their topspin forehand or debating who is the GOAT over coffee. Do you enjoy tennis? Then you are in the right place.
