Preview: Australian Open: Coco Gauff vs. Leylah Fernandez – prediction, head-to-head, tournament so far

Coco Gauff vs. Leylah Fernandez at the 2025 Australian Open—covering tournament form, head‑to‑head, matchup dynamics, and prediction:

🎾 Tournament form so far

Coco Gauff (USA, World No. 3)

Arrived in top shape, riding a 9-match unbeaten run (all straight sets), stretching back to the 2024 WTA Finals.
In Melbourne, she’s steamrolled past Sofia Kenin (6‑3, 6‑3) and Jodie Burrage (6‑3, 7‑5), showing precision, power, and composure under pressure.

Leylah Fernandez (CAN, 30th seed)

Navigated a tougher path: edged past Yuliia Starodubtseva (7‑5, 6‑4), and came from a set down to beat Cristina Bucsa (3‑6, 6‑4, 6‑4).
At 23, this marks her first third‑round appearance here; she’s yet to drop a set to Gauff on tour, dating back to junior tournaments.

📊 Head‑to‑Head

They’ve played just once before—18 days ago at the United Cup. Gauff won decisively, 6‑3, 6‑2.
Prior junior meetings include a French Open Girls’ semifinal where Fernandez didn’t secure a set, underscoring Gauff’s edge .

🔍 Matchup dynamics

Gauff’s Edge: Height and serve provide free points; her mix of rally tolerance, backspin, and aggressive shot-making has overwhelmed opponents.
Fernandez’s Strengths: A lefty with a runner-up resume (2021 US Open), she plays aggressively, takes the ball early, and has momentum from her comeback in Round 2—but this carries risk.
Gauff’s Preparation: Practiced with lefties before the United Cup to prepare for Fernandez’s spin, and it paid off.

💰 Odds & prediction

Early markets favor Gauff heavily (moneyline around 1.155 vs. 5.35 for Fernandez).
Analysts anticipate a straight‑sets win—Gauff has dropped just one set in her last 16 matches.
Consensus: expect a controlled, dominant performance from Gauff. Prediction: Gauff wins in straight sets .

📝 Final take

Gauff brings form, firepower, and front-foot dominance. Fernandez poses a threat with her lefty angles and Grand Slam pedigree, but Gauff’s straight‑sets prowess (11 of last 12 wins) suggests this will stay within her control. Expect the American to seal victory in two sets, extending her mastery over this matchup.