Coco Gauff survives intense U.S. Open match to advance
- Coco Gauff played a nearly three-hour match on August 28, 2025, facing Ajla Tomljanovic in the first round of the U.S. Open.
- Despite struggling with her serve, Gauff managed to come back and win after dropping the second set in a tiebreak.
- This match signifies Gauff's successful start with a new serve coach and her potential for advancing in the tournament.
In the United States, Coco Gauff successfully advanced to the second round of the U.S. Open on Tuesday after a challenging match that lasted nearly three hours at the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium. The match was particularly notable as it marked the first competitive outing for Gauff after she enlisted the help of a new serve coach to improve her performance. Despite initial struggles with her serve, including a significant slip in the final moments of the match, Gauff showcased her resilience. The final score was 6-4, 6-7 (2), 7-5, demonstrating her ability to push through adversity. Gauff's performance was fraught with tension and opportunities for both players. Early in the match, she took control but faced a setback when Tomljanovic fought back, leading to a tiebreak in the second set. Gauff had made a promising start towards winning the match outright but faltered when serving for victory at 5-4 in the final set, hitting two double faults that allowed Tomljanovic to equalize. However, Gauff quickly regained her focus and broke back, ultimately sealing her victory with a powerful serve that marked match point. This match came after a period of inconsistency in Gauff's serve, which had been a problem area highlighted by her previous performances, showing a pattern of accumulating double faults. Earlier in the month, she had faced matches where she recorded an alarming number of double faults, leading many to speculate about her serve's reliability. With the addition of Gavin MacMillan to her coaching team, Gauff expressed optimism about her progress and the importance of breaking old habits when under pressure. The crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium played a crucial role in buoying Gauff's spirits, especially in the decisive moments of the match. Their support was palpable and likely contributed to her ability to recover after a tough period in the match. This victory marks a significant turning point for Gauff, especially after her disappointing first-round exit at Wimbledon, paving the way for her continued aspirations at this year's U.S. Open. With potential for upward movement in her world ranking, Gauff is looking to capitalize on this momentum as she moves forward in the tournament.