Cori ‘Coco’ Gauff is progressing confidently at the Mutua Madrid Open. The fourth seed dispatched her compatriot Ann Li with a resounding 6-2, 6-3.

There is a Spanish expression that goes something like “the Coco is coming, the Coco is coming!” in reference to the arrival of some kind of Iberian bogeyman who gives small children the jitters. However, it might just as well apply to the rest of the players in the main draw in the Caja Magica. The current US Open champion is looking to stamp her authority on the clay and since losing her first set of the tournament, she has strung together the next four while only dropping eleven games.

Gauff is sharpening her claws as she makes her way to round four, equalling her best result in Madrid. For the third time in four years she will be playing for a place in the quarterfinals. Simona Halep in 2022, and her compatriot Madison Keys last year, previously prevented her from making a splash in Madrid. Will it be third time lucky? Her next opponent will be Belinda Bencic, who is starting to show signs of returning to her best after giving birth exactly one year ago. The two crossed paths just a few weeks back when Belinda took a well-fought three-set battle.

The reality is that Coco’s season has not really got going yet. Since reaching the quarter-finals of the season’s first Grand Slam, she has not strung three wins together. However, she now has a golden opportunity to break that streak on Monday against the Swiss with her third win this fortnight.

Coco is not the only woman from her country going strong in the Spanish capital. After the first week of tennis, Madison Keys (R16), Jessica Pegula, Emma Navarro, Sofia Kenin and Peyton Stearns (R32) are all still standing. The total of six Americans left in the draw makes it the most represented country in the women’s competition. Serena Williams (2012, 2013) is the only US player to have lifted the women’s singles trophy in the Caja Magica. Will 2025 be the year they return to the throne? Coco has her heart set on it.