In a gritty and hard-fought opening match at the 2024 US Open, defending champion Coco Gauff showcased resilience more than dominance. The world No. 3 secured a three-set victory over a determined Ajla Tomljanovic, but the win highlighted the ongoing technical challenges she’s working to overcome with her new coach.
The final score, 6-4, 6-7(2), 7-5, tells the story of a battle that lasted nearly three hours on Arthur Ashe Stadium court. While Gauff ultimately advanced, the match was punctuated by serve struggles, including 10 double faults and six service breaks.
“Ultimately, I’m just happy to get through it,” Gauff stated in her post-match press conference. “It wasn’t my best performance, but a win is a win, especially in the first round of a major.”
A Test of Mental Fortitude
The match was a rollercoaster, particularly in the critical final set. Gauff surged to a 5-3 lead and even served for the match at 5-4. However, a cascade of errors—including two consecutive double faults allowed Tomljanovic to break back and level the set at 5-5.
At that moment, the match could have slipped away. Instead, Gauff demonstrated the champion’s mentality she has cultivated, breaking Tomljanovic’s serve immediately and successfully serving out the match on her second attempt.
“I had so many chances throughout the match,” Gauff reflected. “I just had to stay positive and tell myself that eventually, one of these opportunities would go my way.”
The Gavin MacMillan Factor: A Work in Progress
A significant subplot to Gauff’s US Open campaign is her recent partnership with Gavin MacMillan, a renowned biomechanics expert. MacMillan, who famously helped Aryna Sabalenka revamp her own serve, joined Team Gauff just before the tournament.
His presence is a direct response to a key statistic: Gauff had committed a WTA-leading 320 double faults this season heading into Flushing Meadows over 100 more than any other player.
Gauff was candid about the intense training regimen with her new coach, calling their practice sessions “really tough” and “mentally exhausting.”
“We’ve been spending a lot of time on the court, literally serving until my shoulder was hurting,” Gauff revealed. “I feel like it’s moving in the right direction. The biggest challenge for me is trying not to revert to old habits during the tightest moments, and I think I managed that today in the third set.”
During the match, the work-in-progress nature of her serve was evident. She started cautiously, with slower first serves, but gradually increased her pace as the match progressed, even firing a 117 mph offering and a crucial second-serve ace.
How Gauff Secured the Win
While her serve was inconsistent, Gauff’s victory was built on the other pillars of her game:
- Elite Defense: Her exceptional court coverage forced Tomljanovic to hit extra balls.
- Powerful Backhand: Her signature down-the-line backhand was a weapon, and it was that very shot that converted her final match point.
- Net Proficiency: Gauff won an impressive 12 of 15 points at the net, including a spectacular leaping, over-the-shoulder volley winner.
This performance is a crucial step forward for Gauff, whose last Grand Slam appearance ended in a surprising first-round exit at Wimbledon. For more on the biggest stories in tennis, check out latest tennis news coverage.
The Road Ahead in New York
As the defending US Open champion, all eyes are on Coco Gauff. This hard-fought win, while messy, may provide the foundation she needs to build momentum throughout the tournament. According to the WTA Tour’s official rankings, there is even a mathematical possibility for Guff to rise to World No. 1 for the first time if she has a deep run in New York.
Her journey continues in the second round, where she will look to refine her game and prove that the growing pains with her new serve are a path to greater success. For ongoing updates from Flushing Meadows, follow our Recent News Live.