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Coco Gauff says if she plans to copy Naomi Osaka’s extravagant entrance at the Australian Open

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Coco Gauff booked herself a place in round four of the Australian Open by defeating Hailey Baptiste.

The American suffered a scare against Baptiste in the first set, but responded by winning the next two and dropping just three games.

Gauff has already smashed records at the Australian Open and she will next play Karolina Muchova in the fourth round.

The 21-year-old has now said whether she is planning any flamboyant entrances at the Grand Slam in the style of Naomi Osaka.

Coco Gauff of the United States is consoled by Naomi Osaka of Japan after Osaka beat her in the third round on Arthur Ashe Stadium at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2019 in New York City.
Photo by TPN/Getty Images

Coco Gauff says she has ‘ideas’ about a Naomi Osaka-style entrance

Gauff has often combined fashion with tennis, but maybe not quite as extravagantly as Osaka managed in Melbourne.

Asked if there was any chance she could follow Osaka’s path, Gauff responded: “Yeah, no, that was really cool.

“Yeah, we have had ideas in the past, but I feel like I have always wanted to do it if I won the tournament before, so I feel like Naomi being two-time champion here, she can do that.

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(Getty Images)

“Well, really anyone can do it. It’s fashion. There’s no rules. But, yeah, that was an insane arrival, and I thought it was really cool.

“I think what she’s doing for the sport and the fashion I think is cool and bringing new eyes to the sport. I always said tennis, players — well, maybe not players, because it’s not their fault, but I think brands don’t capitalize enough of the fact that you literally can wear what you want on the court.

“We’re, quite literally, maybe other than golf, the only other sport that can do that. Yeah, I always said I think other brands can capitalize more off that.

“Obviously, lucky with New Balance due to that, but what she did — and I think I read somewhere it was her idea. Nike wasn’t really involved with the on-court stuff, so I think that makes it even cooler.”

Muchova will provide the first seeded test for Gauff as she arrived at the Australian Open as the 19th best player in the rankings.

Coco Gauff matches Lindsay Davenport record at the Australian Open

Gauff is paving the way for Americans at the Australian Open and she continues to impress for her nation in Melbourne.

The 21-year-old is now the youngest American to reach four consecutive fourth rounds at the Australian Open for 28 years.

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The last to do so was American legend Lindsay Davenport, who managed the feat between 1994 and 1998.

Gauff also picked up her 77th Grand Slam victory with her win against Baptiste out of her 100 matches at majors.

Only Venus Williams and Iga Swiatek have managed more victories at Grand Slams in their first 100 matches.