Coco Gauff matches Wimbledon best with victory over American qualifier Claire Liu

WIMBLEDON, No.1 Court — Coco Gauff saw off American qualifier Claire Liu in three sets to reach the fourth round of Wimbledon for the fourth time in her career.

The seventh seed secured a 6-3, 5-7 (5-7), 6-2 victory against the world No.146 to set up a meeting with Belinda Bencic on Sunday and the chance to reach the quarterfinals for the first time at SW19.

It was far from the ideal start for Liu in the biggest match of her career, being broken in the opening game and barely winning a point in the next as she struggled to find her feet.

Gauff showed no signs of fatigue from her three-set tiebreak win on Wednesday and had another break point in the fifth. Some great shot selections, with plenty of variety, from the qualifier avoided the double break but she was yet to look like making any dent in her opponent's service games.

Liu was beginning to grow in confidence; winning point of the match with some neat lobs in a long rally during the sixth game; before holding to love for the first time in the next. No need for Gauff to panic though, she looked comfortable. 

Fourth round. Second week. @CocoGauff equals her best run at #Wimbledon 👏 pic.twitter.com/RGIjKvvP1P

Gauff responded with a hold to love of her own and when later presented with a third set point the 20-year-old had one foot in the last-16 with a delicate backhand drop shot to win 6-3.

Liu had her first break point at the start of the second set and gladly took it; a strong forehand catching Gauff off balance and now having to handle a rejuvenated Liu and the prospect of a 21st match this season going to a third set.

Keen to avoid that, Gauff broke straight back. From there, the next few games were evenly matched; both served well, both missed easy shots and truth be told, No.1 Court felt a little flat.

At 3-3 in the seventh, Gauff saved four break points, and then turned the screw by breaking Liu at the next to move within a game of the fourth round. 

But the two-time grand slam found herself 0-40 down and a poorly executed volley allowed Liu to smash the ball into space and break straight back. Gauff soon had two match points but Liu saved them both with some smart volleys at the net. Gauff messed up her return on a third opportunity and Liu showed real guts to eventually make it 5-5. 

Both held serve and into the tiebreak we went. Much like the entire second set, there was little to separate them but it was Liu who produced a few moments of brilliance to get to 6-4 but when serving for the set sent a forehand long. Gauff, incredibly, then double faulted and left the court in a hurry for a comfort break and no doubt a stern word with herself.

Just like the start of the first set, Liu was broken in the opening game of the third. The tempo of the game started to decrease; it was less about aggressive hitting and more drop shots ensued; Gauff hit a perfect one to go 4-2 up.

In the seventh, Gauff had three break points and Liu's overhit backhand volley now meant Gauff was going to serve for the match. She did just that, closing out to 30, breathing out a big sigh of relief as Liu's final shot went wide.