Coco Gauff Moves Up in WTA Rankings Before Australian Open

Earlier this month, fellow American Amanda Anisimova briefly eclipsed Gauff as the World No. 3 in the WTA Rankings. But after the United Cup, Gauff leaped over Anisimova to reclaim the No. 3 spot. Anisimova is just 1-1 this season after losing the finalist Marta Kostyuk in the Round of 16 at the Brisbane International.

Gauff has 6,423 ranking points compared to Anisimova's 6,320 points. However, Gauff will have more points to defend at the upcoming Australian Open.

Last year, she advanced to the quarterfinals before losing to the surging Paula Badosa. Meanwhile, Emma Raducanu upset Anisimova in the second round of last year's Australian Open.

Both the United Cup and the Brisbane International are considered warmups for the first Grand Slam of the year. Moreover, there is rarely a correlation between success in either tournament and a strong showing at the Australian Open.

Anisimova made back-to-back Grand Slam finals last year at Wimbledon and the US Open. However, the 24-year-old has never advanced beyond the fourth round of the Australian Open.

Meanwhile, Gauff is a two-time Grand Slam champion but has only reached the semifinals in Melbourne once, in 2024.

The 2026 Australian Open's main draw kicks off on Sunday, January 18. The action concludes for the women on Saturday, January 31, and the men on Sunday, February 1.