After beating Townsend and her child, Gauff to face on-the-comeback Kenin in Atlanta exhibition

Gauff beats Townsend in straight sets and will play Sofia Kenin in another exhibition match on Monday evening

Coco Gauff in Berlin, 2022 Image Credit: AI/ Reuters/ Panoramic

July 25, 2022

American teen Coco Gauff and compatriot Taylor Townsend took part in an exhibition match in Atlanta on Sunday.

Gauff, the Roland-Garros finalist, came away a 6-3, 6-3 winner over Townsend 6-3, 6-3 in what was her first match since losing in the third round at Wimbledon.

Townsend came in as a late replacement for Canadian Leylah Fernandez, who pulled out due to the foot injury which also forced her to miss the grass court season.

ATL NIGHT 1❤️‍🔥 pic.twitter.com/WafFYUlpL9
— Coco Gauff (@CocoGauff) July 25, 2022

“I think it was a great performance,” Coco Gauff said according to The Atlanta Journal Constitution. “Had a lot of fun, wasn’t sure how it was going to be tonight. … Taylor made it super fun. I think, you know, these matches have to do with the right person. And I think Taylor was the right person.”

26-year-old Townsend was accompanied on the court by her son 19-month-old son Adyn. The American returned to the tour a few months ago after giving birth to Adyn and has climbed to No 108 in the doubles rankings and No 322 in singles. She won an ITF singles title in May and also reached the doubles semi-finals at Roland-Garros with countrywoman Madison Keys.

We've been telling you the stars of tonight are Taylor and Coco, but we were wrong. Adyn, we're in love 😍. #AtlantaOpen | #USOpenSeries pic.twitter.com/lNbu4NCaJM
— Atlanta Open 🎾 (@ATLOpenTennis) July 25, 2022

Townsend, who hails from Atlanta, said she was happy to get a chance to inspire people in her backyard. “To be able to inspire people and to play in our backyard, where not a lot of people get to see us play live, you know, it’s kind of like something that’s on their bucket list,” Townsend said. “But, to do it in our backyard, I think it’s so special. So, again, I’m so happy that we were able to do it.”

On Monday, Gauff will take on another American Sofia Kenin in an exhibition match. This will be Kenin’s first match since Indian Wells in March.

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