Coco Gauff has eased her way into the third round at Wimbledon, aware she should be playing better, but able to keep that thought under control.
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The No. 2 seed dismissed nervous Romanian qualifier Anca Todoni 6-2 6-1 in 66 minutes, but admitted "I could have played cleaner at some points" after an inconsistent performance.
The US Open champion made 16 unforced errors and managed to land 43 per cent of her first serves.
But Todoni, ranked 140 places lower, hit 23 unforced errors and Gauff was more troubled by the slick grass - she twice slipped and fell - than her opponent.
Gauff, who went out in the first round last year at the hands of Sofia Kenin, said she had learned from that disappointment - and from her success in New York, to manage expectations and emotions.
"Overall, I just learned about life a lot. What I do, I'm very passionate about but it's not ever that serious," she said.
"It's a game, it's sport. Sometimes the world can make you feel like there is so much pressure and expectation."
The draw has opened up for Gauff after the first-day withdrawals of Belarusians Aryna Sabalenka, the Australian Open champion, and former world No.1 Victoria Azarenka.
She will next play British qualifier Sonay Kartel, who defeated France's Clara Burel 6-3 5-7 6-3.
No.11 seed Danielle Collins, delayed overnight when light faded, wrapped up victory against Clara Tauson when play resumed after morning rain. The 2022 Australian Open runner-up saw off the Dane 6-3 7-6 (7-4).
Beatriz Haddad Maia, the Brazilian No.20 seed, is also through, beating Poland's Magdalena Frech 7-5 6-3.
In a clash of two recent quarter-finalists Jule Niemeier (2022) beat Viktorija Golubic (2021) 6-2 6-1 in 63 minutes.
Australian Associated Press
