‘Novak-esque’ – Coco Gauff a ‘total package’ like Djokovic says Eurosport's Mats Wilander after win over Zhang Shaui

Eighteen-year-old Coco Gauff has been described as the «total package» and was also praised for her maturity following her hard-fought 7-5 7-5 victory over Zhang Shaui to set up a place in the last eight of the US Open. After taking the first set in brilliant fashion, Gauff was staring at a decider after Zhang took a 5-3 lead in the second set. But the young American dealt with the pressure to win the next four games and keep her bid of winning her home Grand Slam alive.

Ad Eurosport’s Barbara Schett was impressed with Gauff’s mentality when the going got tough. TennisGauff clinches place in quarter-finals with brilliant display to see off Zhang2 HOURS AGO “The way she just put her mindset to play one point at a time, and she got so fired up, there was so much positive energy,” Schett said. “That was outstanding.

«Once again, look at her age.” Mats Wilander agreed, saying: “Absolutely outstanding. And to be 100 per cent honest, she’s survived that and then when she had breakpoints back, she actually missed a few easy shots and that’s on those breakpoints back in the beginning of this game. It was actually maybe the worst I’ve seen her play, but she didn’t hang her head.

She just keeps coming back.” 'Below the belt' — John McEnroe questions Iga Swiatek's distraction tactic against Lauren Davis McEnroe — Serena Williams' legacy will improve inclusivity in tennis for decades to come Continuing, Wilander described the teenager as the “total package” and likened her skills to that of 21-time major winner Novak Djokovic. “She just gets the mix between offence and defence,” he said. “I mean, the backhand, it’s Novak-esque the way she defends on the backhand side.