WHAT HAPPENED: Defending US Open champion Coco Gauff advanced to the third round of the US Open Wednesday night by defeating 37-year-old Tatjana Maria of Germany, 6-4, 6-0, in one hour, 20 minutes. But the scoreline didn’t tell the full story.
“If I could serve better, that first set would have been easier,” Gauff admitted afterwards.
“My toss was too far in front, and I didn't serve as fast as I normally did in some serves. I think I was between the 110s and 115 [miles per hour]. My last match I was getting almost every serve 120.
“If I don't have an aggressive mindset, everything kind of goes all over the place. I just [wanted to] get it in because I knew she wasn't going to hurt me off the return. Sometimes I think I even serve better against better returners because you know you have to bring your ‘A’ game.”
As the match unfolded on a humid 90-degree night in Arthur Ashe Stadium, Gauff won the first set, 6-4, in 55 minutes despite seven double faults, 20 unforced errors and only putting in 20 of her 43 first serves (47%). Each player was broken on her first game, but in the seventh game of the set, Gauff broke Maria a second time to take a 4-3 lead.
In game 10, with Gauff serving, Maria staved off one set point, and on the second match point, during a long rally, there was an audible call to stop play, which was officially attributed to a “technical error,” and the point was replayed. Maria quickly netted a forehand, and Gauff captured the set.
Maria served to open the second set but was unable to hold. Gauff won every game thereafter and claimed the match less than 30 minutes later.
Afterwards, Gauff hit the practice court. “I just hit serves,” she said. “Obviously I didn't serve great at all. I got lucky. I only got broken once but probably could have, should have gotten broken a couple of more times. So I just hit serves. I really only do it when I don't feel great after a match. Today I didn't feel great after.”
Overall, Gauff, the No. 3 seed put only 44% of her first serves in play, had nine double faults and 25 unforced errors. But she also had 25 winners and earned the points that mattered most. She will now play Elina Svitolina of Ukraine in Round 3.
Gauff called Svitolina “a difficult opponent, a veteran player.”
”I played her earlier in Auckland, and that was a tough, tough match,” she added.“I know I'll have to bring my best tennis to win against her.”
WHAT IT MEANS: Maria, the 2022 Wimbledon semifinalist (who lost to Ons Jabeur in three sets in that tournament), was attempting to advance past the second round of the US Open in her 11th try. The mother of two, who is coached by her husband Charles, will have to wait another year.
MATCH POINT: Gauff is trying to become the first woman to defend her US Open singles title since Serena Williams won three years in a row from 2012-14. Gauff has not lost to an opponent outside the Top 50 since falling to No.128 Sofia Kenin at Wimbledon 2023.
