Coco Gauff's Australian Open adventure is over for this year.
The 18-year-old American prodigy was beaten in straight sets, 7–5, 6–3, by Jelena Ostapenko in the round of 16 on the night of Sunday Swedish time.
Latvian Ostapenko, who took home the French Championships in 2017, has never before made it this far in Melbourne.
- I knew she was a fantastic player, super young and she plays really well but I really had nothing to lose, says Ostapenko.
- I just went there and tried to do my best and fight for every point and make it difficult for her.
I'm really happy with how I played, she continues.
Ostapenko, who reached the quarter-finals at Wimbledon in 2018, has endured a tough few injury years since then.
Gauff had not dropped a single set en route to the round of 16 and it was a close encounter.
Ostapenko will now face Wimbledon champion Jelena Rybakina of Kazakhstan.
During the night, she knocked out women's world number one Iga Swiatek, Poland, in two straight sets: 6–4, 6–4.
- I played well when it mattered, says Rybakina.
- Of course I'm nervous when I enter the court.
I think everyone is.
But I'm always calm.
In any case, I try not to show too much emotion, she continues.