Coco Gauff Fights Through Tears, Serving Woes at US Open

Coco Gauff Fights Through Tears and Serving Struggles to Advance at US Open

American tennis star Coco Gauff advanced to the third round of the US Open. She defeated Croatia’s Donna Vekic in a tense match. The contest took place Thursday night in New York’s Arthur Ashe Stadium. Gauff won with a score of 7-6 (5), 6-2 despite visible emotional and technical challenges.

Coco Gauff’s Emotional Victory at US Open

Gauff was seen wiping away tears between points. Her serving difficulties were a major issue throughout the match. She hit seven double faults in the first set alone. This follows a pattern of serving troubles that have plagued her season.

She recently hired a new coach to address this problem. Gavin MacMillan is a biomechanics expert. He previously helped rebuild Aryna Sabalenka’s serve. The work is clearly still in progress according to match reports.

Gauff lost her serve four times in the opening set. She managed to break back immediately each time. The set went to a tiebreaker, which Gauff won. She then took a break to regroup.

Overcoming Adversity on the Court

The second set was a different story. Gauff appeared more composed and focused. She only double-faulted once after the break. She held all of her service games comfortably.

Her powerful baseline game and strong defense carried her through. The crowd support, which included gymnast Simone Biles, also provided a lift. Gauff said she was inspired by Biles’ presence in the stadium.

This win comes after a difficult first-round match. Gauff also needed three sets to win her opening game. She is the 2023 US Open champion and won the French Open in June.

Gauff’s resilience under pressure proves her champion mentality. Her ability to win despite significant serving issues highlights her deep well of talent. The US Open continues to test the young star’s resolve.

Thought you’d like to know

Why was Coco Gauff crying during her match?

Gauff became emotional due to the immense pressure and recent struggles. She described the past few weeks as “rough” in her post-match interview. The tears were a release of tension during a difficult performance.

How did Coco Gauff manage to win the match?

She relied on her exceptional defensive skills and powerful groundstrokes. Gauff broke back immediately each time she lost her serve. Her mental toughness in the tiebreaker was crucial.

What is the issue with Coco Gauff’s serve?

She has struggled with double faults all season. Gauff leads the tour with over 300 double faults this year. She recently hired a new coach specifically to fix this technical problem.

Who did Coco Gauff beat in the second round?

She defeated Donna Vekic of Croatia. The final score was 7-6 (5), 6-2. The match was played in the main Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Has Coco Gauff won the US Open before?

Yes, she is the defending champion. Gauff won the US Open title in 2023 as a teenager. She also won the French Open earlier this summer.