American Cori Gauff’s fairytale Wimbledon run has come to an end at the hands of seventh seed Simona Halep.
The 15-year-old has been the break-out star of the Championships, charming and thrilling SW19 with sensational wins over her idol Venus Williams, Magdalena Rybarikova and Polona Hercog.
But Romanian counter-puncher Halep, last year’s French Open champion, proved too strong for Gauff on Court One, winning 6-3 6-3, on Monday.
The result should come as no surprise, as 12 months ago Halep was the world number one while Gauff was losing in the quarter-finals of the juniors tournament.
Yet Gauff, known as ‘Coco’, went toe-to-toe with Halep, again showing no signs of being daunted in such illustrious company.
There were nerves, understandably, and Gauff’s serve came under immediate scrutiny with Halep securing a break in the first game.
Gauff broke straight back, then held, and suddenly Halep had the jitters with a double fault, although she too held serve for 2-2.
Break point down, Gauff casually volleyed a winner with all the poise of the seasoned grand-slam winner she was facing.
However, Halep’s experience told as she secured another break on her way to wrapping up the first set.
The signs were ominous when Halep went 2-0 up in the second, but yet again Gauff hit back, before asking for a doctor courtside.
If the youngster was feeling unwell she was not showing it, coming from 0-30 to hold for 2-2.
Halep has been there and done it, though, and once again the 27-year-old turned the screw to move 5-2 up.
Although Gauff saved a couple of match points on her serve – one with another nonchalant volley – Halep eventually ensured the American’s Wimbledon adventure came to an end, for this year at least.