TENNIS
Coco Gauff retains Auckland title to send Australian Open warning
US Open champion comes from set down to beat Elina Svitolina 6-7, 6-3, 6-3, while Elena Rybakina and Grigor Dimitrov win Brisbane International singles titles
Gauff will be one of the favourites at the Australian Open
HANNAH PETERS/GETTY
Coco Gauff will arrive in Melbourne in fine form for her bid at back-to-back grand-slam titles after battling past Elina Svitolina to win the Auckland Classic.
The 19-year-old American is one of the leading contenders for the Australian Open. She claimed her first major triumph at the US Open in September, and has a strong record on the WTA Tour over the past six months, with 29 wins in 33 matches.
Gauff was made to work hard for her latest victory. She fought back from a set down against Svitolina, the former world No 3 from Ukraine, and prevailed 6-7 (4-7), 6-3, 6-3 to win the Australian Open warm-up tournament for the second consecutive year.
“This was my first time ever having to defend a
