‘My Mission Was To Win’: That’s What Atlanta-Born Coco Gauff, 15, Did On Day 1 Of Australian Open

Coco Gauff reacts Monday during her first round singles match against Venus Williams at the Australian Open. The youngest woman in the field got the better of the oldest woman in the field, with Gauff beating Williams 7-6 (5), 6-3.

Dita Alangkara / Associated Press

Everyone had the same question when the Australian Open draw was revealed: What were the odds that Coco Gauff and Venus Williams would face each other again in the first round at a Grand Slam tournament?

“I was a bit shocked,” Gauff said, “I’m sure everyone was a bit shocked.”

Gauff, 15, who was born in Atlanta, played Williams, 39, to begin her first appearance in the main draw at Melbourne Park, just like they matched up to start things off at Wimbledon about six months ago. And, just like at the All England Club, the youngest woman in the field got the better of the oldest woman in the field, with Gauff beating Williams 7-6 (5), 6-3 on Monday.