Having got out of a jam in the second round at Melbourne Park on Wednesday, the young American is clearly comfortable with tight spaces.

Third seed Gauff made heavy weather of British battler Jodie Burrage before claiming a 6-3 7-5 win to book another match-up with Canadian Leylah Fernandez.

Leading 3-1 in the second set and seemingly cruising to victory, Gauff was dragged into a street fight by the plucky Londoner who broke her twice and had a chance to serve for the set at 5-3.

Rod Laver Arena became Gauff’s escape room for the night as Burrage blew her moment, double faulting to drop serve.

Gauff won the next three games in succession to wrap up proceedings and reflect on her early getaway.

“I think it was just one of those things, just step up my level against her,” she told reporters.

“I knew that there was going to be a moment maybe where she wasn’t going to play as well. It’s just when that moment would come.

“I didn’t know if it was going to be at 5-3 or in the third set.”

It was Gauff’s second straights sets win at the tournament after passing a first round test against 2020 champion Sofia Kenin.

--Reuters--