Coco Gauff beats Katie Boulter at Canadian Open in Montreal opener to continue strong form after Citi Open title

Coco Gauff eased past Katie Boulter to reach the last 16 of the Canadian Open in Montreal.

Gauff, who is looking to win the first WTA 1000 title of her career, will next face Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova or former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki.

World No. 1 Iga Swiatek meets Karolina Pliskova later on Wednesday while world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka plays her first match since Wimbledon against Petra Martic.

Gauff didn’t drop a set during her title run in Washington DC and she was fast out of the blocks against Boulter, winning eight of the opening nine points to secure up a 2-0 lead.

A big forehand winner down the line sealed a third straight game for Gauff and she broke to love for 4-0.

After winning just three of the first 19 points of the match, Boulter broke to get on the board and then held to love to close the advantage to two games.

But Gauff’s powerful and aggressive approach saw her respond with a love hold and then a third break to win the set.

Boulter offered more resistance at the start of the second set, pushing Gauff in a lengthy opening game before holding to love to put the pressure back on the sixth seed.

But Boulter couldn’t stay with Gauff as she lost serve to fall 3-1 behind.

Boulter fended off three match points in the eighth game but Gauff eventually sealed the win.

Sloane Stephens and Jasmine Paolini both advanced without playing as their respective opponents Victoria Azarenka and Madison Keys withdrew due to injuries.