It was a tumultuous start for Coco Gauff at the U.S. Open, with seven double faults in the initial set that left her scrambling to find her rhythm on the court. Recognizing the need for improvement, Gauff wasted no time in heading to a practice court to work on her serve after the match.
In a stark contrast, the second set saw a completely different Gauff take to the court. Despite her initial struggles, the 20-year-old managed to pull off a 6-4, 6-0 win against Tatjana Maria, the 99th-ranked player in the world. Gauff attributed her victory to some key adjustments she made to her serve, acknowledging that there was still room for improvement.
“I didn’t serve great at all,” Gauff admitted after the match. “I got lucky. I think I only got broken once, but probably could have – should have – gotten broken a couple of more times.” Despite her own criticisms, Gauff’s resilience on the court shone through as she extended her winning streak at the Grand Slam tournament where she made her breakthrough just a year prior.
Facing off against Maria, a seasoned player known for her crafty slices, Gauff struggled to find her footing initially. The match was described as “annoying” by the young American, who praised her opponent’s unique playing style. “I love Tatjana … (but) she’s very annoying to play. Tonight was just an annoying match,” Gauff said. “The balls, you were able to hit winners on them, but because she’s slicing it, you have to generate all the power.”
In spite of the challenges posed by Maria, Gauff’s determination and versatility ultimately secured her a spot in the third round of the tournament. With her sights set on further success, Gauff’s relentless work ethic and ability to adapt on the fly continue to set her apart on the tennis court.
