Coco Gauff vs Naomi Osaka at US Open could be rivalry’s start

Coco Gauff, of the United States, chases down a shot from Timea Babos, of Hungary, during the second round of the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

NEW YORK — It’s rather rare that a third-round Grand Slam match involving a player ranked merely 140th and playing in her second major tournament would generate a ton of buzz.

When that player is Coco Gauff, though, the calculus changes. And when her opponent is the U.S. Open’s defending champion and No. 1 seed, Naomi Osaka, well, the hype and hyperbole are bound to be limitless.

In this case, it might just be justified.

“I definitely think it’s the future of women’s tennis,” 23-time major champion Serena Williams said Friday after winning her third-round match. “And I’m really excited to just be a ‘fan girl’ and kind of watch.”

These are two of the most dynamic young players on tour at the moment and Saturday night’s showdown at Arthur Ashe Stadium in the round of 32 might just be the start of a rivalry between the 15-year-old Gauff and Osaka, who is the grizzled veteran in this one at 21.