Coco Gauff remains on semi-final collision course with defending champion Aryna Sabalenka but she dropped her first set of the year at the Australian Open overnight. The world No.1 Sabalenka also refused to back a tennis legend’s criticism of scheduling of women’s matches.

It was a meaningless hit-and-giggle session, so Coco Gauff was calling out how fast she would try to hit some serves.

Gauff added Matt Daly to a coaching team that already included Jean-Christophe Faurel. Since, Gauff has won 19 of 21 matches, including two victories over Iga Swiatek and one over Aryna Sabalenka. She captured titles at the China Open, the WTA Finals and then the United Cup team event to start this season.