The American women are rolling along at the 2025 Australian Open. Top-ranked Coco Gauff continues her undefeated season (7-0) without dropping a set. Gauff and Emma Navarro headline an interesting slate of third-round matches in Melbourne.
Coco Gauff vs. Leylah Fernandez
Aura +1000
And @CocoGauff still hasn’t dropped a set in 2025 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/AclzO5un8T
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 15, 2025
Surprisingly, Coco Gauff and Leylah Fernandez have only played one previous time. That was in the first round of the United Cup. Gauff won 6-3, 6-2. Fernandez can be a tricky opponent because she is a lefty. Gauff needs to continue serving well, and she should advance to the fourth round.
Emma Navarro vs. Ons Jabeur
Emma Navarro finds a way once again! pic.twitter.com/cuMcSY9Ykb
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) January 16, 2025
Emma Navarro’s route to the third round has been difficult. She had two tight three-set matches against Peyton Stearns and Wang Xiyu. It will not get any easier for her as she faces a resurging Ons Jabeur who is unseeded at this event. Jabeur has been plagued with injuries recently, but her all-around game with crafty and unique shots could post problems for Navarro. Jabeur defeated Navarro in their only other meeting on outdoor clay courts at the 2022 WTA Charleston event.
Madison Keys vs. Danielle Collins
Madison Keys and Danielle Collins play each other in the third round. Keys leads the series 2-1 with the most recent win last year on the outdoor clay courts at Strasbourg. Keys won the Adelaide International title in the days before the Australian Open tournament began. She appears healthy and in peak form to compete in the latter rounds in Melbourne. Collins is always steady in her shotmaking so she will be a big test for Keys.
Other matches of interest
Though not featuring American players, three other third-round matches are of interest. Naomi Osaka vs. Belinda Bencic is the battle of the tennis mothers. Iga Swiatek vs. Emma Raducanu is the battle of the former Grand Slam champions. Elina Svitolina vs. Jasmine Paolini is the battle of the gritty players with plenty of perseverance.
American Jessica Pegula is still in the draw. She faces Serbian Olga Danilovic in the third round. Danilovic upset Liudmila Samsonova in straight sets in the second round.
