After her victory, the 18-year-old talked about the expectations she faces coming into the tournament.

“I know that compared to three years ago there are definitely a lot more people expecting me to win, but I think 15-year-old me would be proud that I’m still playing on Centre Court,” she told reporters.

Gauff will face another American, Amanda Anisimova, in the third round.

Rafael Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam champion, praised Gauff after she advanced to the third round.

“I like her, the way that she talks to the crowd, to the press at the end of the matches. She’s fresh. She’s natural. Looks very mature in her thoughts. I think she is a fighter. I like the way that she plays. She fights for every ball. Even sometimes when she’s not playing that well, she keeps fighting until the end, running for every ball,” Nadal told reporters at his post-match press conference after his second-round victory.

The tennis legend also predicted that Gauff will win multiple Grand Slam titles.

“I think, if she’s able just to improve a little bit with this physical performance that she has, probably we’ll talk about the player that she will be, [a] multi-Grand Slam winner,” he said.

Gauff, who was ranked No. 875 in 2018, rose to No. 68 a year later, WTA Tennis reports. At the 2020 Australian Open, Gauff earned victories over Venus Williams and defending champion Naomi Osaka. The rising tennis star stood at No. 48 after her performance at the Australian Open.

Now ranked No. 11, Gauff will face Anisimova on Saturday.