Coco Gauff’s Challenging Start at the US Open
Coco Gauff faced a challenging start in her initial match at the US Open on Tuesday night, marking her first competitive outing since bringing on a new coach to refine her serving technique. In this encounter, she experienced a shaky performance, committing 10 double faults overall, including one right out of the gate that resulted in a service break. Despite these setbacks, Gauff, seeded third in the tournament, managed to secure a hard-fought victory against Ajla Tomljanovic, finishing with scores of 6-4, 6-7 (2), 7-5, thereby advancing to the next round at Flushing Meadows.
Reflections on the Match
“It wasn’t the best, but I’m happy to get through,”
Gauff remarked, highlighting the difficulties she faced during the match. The contest was rife with tension as Gauff initially led by a break in the second set but failed to close out the match. In the pivotal third set, after gaining a 5-3 advantage, she served for the win at 5-4 but faltered under pressure, letting Tomljanovic back into the game. However, Gauff regrouped, broke back, and ultimately sealed her victory after nearly three hours of play, showcasing her resilience:
“I had so many chances… I was just like, ‘Eventually, one of these is going to go my way.'”
Coaching Changes and Performance Insights
Just prior to the start of the US Open, Gauff expanded her coaching team by adding Gavin MacMillan, a biomechanics specialist recognized for assisting current world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in overhauling her serve. Situated in the front row of Gauff’s guest section, MacMillan observed closely as Gauff struggled with her newly adjusted service motion. Earlier in this season, Gauff had accrued a notable 320 double faults, the highest among women on the tour, significantly outpacing her competitors.
During the match, Gauff began with a more conservative serving speed before gradually increasing her pace under pressure, ultimately reaching up to 117 mph on a serve. Her strong groundstrokes and exceptional court coverage played a key role in her win, with Gauff winning 12 out of 15 points at the net, one of which was a spectacular overhead volley.
Looking Ahead
This victory comes after a disappointing first-round exit at Wimbledon in July, following a championship win at the French Open in June. As Gauff progresses through the tournament, her performance could potentially elevate her ranking, giving her a chance to surpass Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek to claim the No. 1 spot in women’s tennis.
