Wimbledon 2019: Cori Gauff ‘living the dream’ after shock victory over Venus Williams

The American teenager overcame a 24-year-age gap to beat the five-times Wimbledon champion in straight sets

Fifteen-year-old Cori Gauff said she was “living my dream” after stunning Venus Williams in straight sets to reach the second round of the Wimbledon Championships.

The American teenager, who is the youngest woman to qualify for the tournament in the Open era, surpassed all expectations in overcoming a 24-year-age gap to stun her fellow countrywoman 6-4 6-4 in one hour and 19 minutes.

On what Williams told her after the match, Gauff said: “She told me congratulations and keep going, she said good luck and I told her thanks for everything she did.

“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for her – I told her she was so inspiring and I’ve always wanted to tell her that but I’ve never had the guts to before.

“My parent will be super happy, my dad was jumping up every time I won a point, I’m so happy they spent all their time on me and my brothers and making sure we’re successful.

“I never thought this would happen. I’m literally living my dream right now.”

Gauff dazzled with a display of immense maturity and self-belief that belied her 15 years of age.

The youngster served superbly throughout the clash, was broken only once and showed tremendous composure in her first main draw match at a grand slam, making just eight unforced errors compared to 25 for her 39-year-old opponent.

“Honestly I don’t know how to feel,” Gauff said afterwards. ”It’s the first time I have ever cried after winning a match, I don’t know how to explain how I feel.

“I definitely had to tell myself to stay calm, I had to remind myself that the lines are the same lines, the courts are the same size and after every point I told myself ‘stay calm’.”

Williams gave little away in her post-match press conference as she discussed the defeat. “She played so well, even all the shanks went in,” she said. “I actually didn’t play well – it was a contrast.

“I just said to her well done and good luck! The sky’s the limit [for her].

“She did everything well today, she was much better. Moves well, serves well, good match.”