Major Comeback: With Win, Atlanta-Born Teen Coco Gauff Sets Up Big Showdown At Australian Open

Coco Gauff celebrates after defeating Sorana Cirstea during their second round singles match at the Australian Open on Wednesday. Gauff will go on to face Naomi Osaka less than five months after their memorable meeting at the U.S. Open. Osaka won that match in straight sets and then consoled Gauff on court.

Lee Jin-man / Associated Press

Plenty was going badly for Atlanta native Coco Gauff in the second round of the Australian Open.

The double-faults kept coming Wednesday, nine in all. The deficits, too: First, she dropped the opening set against 74th-ranked Sorana Cirstea. Then, after forcing a third, Gauff fell behind by a break, ceding 14 of 16 points with a series of mistakes.

Later, after getting even at 3-all, Gauff was a mere two points from a loss.