Coco Gauff Storms Back to Beat Hailey Baptiste in Australian Open Thriller

Coco Gauff once again proved why she’s one of the toughest competitors in women’s tennis, fighting back from a set down to defeat fellow American Hailey Baptiste in the third round of the Australian Open on January 23, 2026. Under the bright lights of Margaret Court Arena, the No. 3 seed showed grit, maturity, and championship mentality to claim a 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 victory and book her place in the next round.

The match didn’t start the way Gauff would have hoped. Baptiste came out swinging, playing fearless tennis and dictating rallies with aggressive forehands and confident net play. Gauff, usually so solid from the baseline, looked rushed and struggled to find her rhythm. Baptiste took full advantage, breaking serve and closing out the first set 6-3 with authority.

But champions respond—and Gauff did exactly that.

The second set was a complete momentum shift. Gauff raised her intensity, improved her serve placement, and started stepping inside the baseline to take control of points early. Baptiste suddenly found herself on the back foot, unable to handle the pace and depth coming from the other side of the net. Gauff raced through the set 6-0 in just over 20 minutes, flipping the match on its head.

With everything level, the third set became a test of nerves and endurance. Baptiste refused to go away quietly, holding serve early and continuing to look for big shots. But Gauff’s experience on the big stage made the difference. She stayed patient in the longer rallies, defended brilliantly, and waited for the right moments to strike. A crucial break midway through the set gave her the edge, and from there, she never looked back.

Serving for the match at 5-3, Gauff stayed calm under pressure. After a couple of tense points, she sealed the win with a powerful forehand winner, pumping her fist as the crowd roared in approval.

This victory wasn’t just about advancing in the draw—it was a statement. Gauff showed she can problem-solve mid-match, absorb pressure, and respond when things aren’t going her way. Against a talented and dangerous opponent in Baptiste, she proved why she’s considered a true Grand Slam contender.

As the Australian Open moves into its business end, Coco Gauff is finding her form at exactly the right time. If she continues to bring this level of resilience and fire, the rest of the field has been officially warned: Gauff is not just here to compete—she’s here to make a serious run at the title.