Defending US Open champion Coco Gauff surged into the third round on Wednesday with a commanding 6-4, 6-0 victory over Germany’s Tatjana Maria. Despite a shaky start, including 20 unforced errors and nine double faults in the first set, the 20-year-old American found her stride and showcased her resilience, closing out the match in style.
Gauff initially broke Maria’s serve in the opening game but soon faced challenges with her own service game, committing several unforced errors. However, she managed to break Maria again in the seventh game and secure the first set after a brief disruption caused by a technical glitch in the stadium’s sound system.
The second set saw a transformed Gauff, who made crucial adjustments, including more aggressive net play. Her strategy paid off as she won the final seven games consecutively, leaving Maria with no chance to recover. Gauff ended the match with 25 winners, balancing out her 25 unforced errors, and received enthusiastic applause from the home crowd.
Reflecting on the match, Gauff admitted it was a tough battle. “It was a tricky match,” she said. “Tatjana’s style made it physically challenging, but I’m glad I was able to adjust and close it out.”
Gauff’s next opponent is Elina Svitolina of Ukraine, a 2019 US Open semi-finalist. “Elina is a tough competitor. We had a hard-fought match earlier this year, and I know I’ll need to be at my best to win,” Gauff said.
Not one to rest on her laurels, Gauff hit the practice courts shortly after her match, focusing on improving her serve, which she identified as an area needing attention before her upcoming match.
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