USA's Coco Gauff hits a return against USA's Hailey Baptiste during their women's singles match on day six of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 23, 2026. (Photo: AFP)

World No. 3 Coco Gauff came from behind to beat American compatriot Hailey Baptiste 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 in the Australian Open third round on Friday.

It was a relief for Gauff, who is aiming to win a third Grand Slam title.

The 24-year-old Baptiste's hopes of reaching the fourth round for just the second time in her career started brightly when she stunned Gauff to claim the opening set. But Gauff, the reigning French Open champion, regrouped and rolled through the second set to force a decider, where she took advantage of a nervous 70th-ranked Baptiste.

The 21-year-old Gauff is on the same side of the draw as world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, with the rivals on a semifinal collision course.

Gauff will play 19th seed Karolina Muchova in the fourth round.