By HOWARD FENDRICH
NEW YORK (AP) — Coco Gauff stored wiping the tears welling in her eyes between factors in her second-round match on the U.S. Open on Thursday evening, attempting to remain composed, attempting to provide herself an opportunity to win.
Gauff’s serving troubles had been once more a problem, simply as they had been two nights earlier, simply as they’ve been for some time now. The 2-time Grand Slam champion teamed up with a brand new coach lately to attempt to repair that side of her sport, and whereas there clearly remains to be work to be executed, Gauff did determine learn how to keep within the event, beating Donna Vekic 7-6 (5), 6-2 in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“Truthfully, right this moment was a tricky match for me. However I’m simply proud of how I used to be capable of handle. It’s been tough couple weeks,” Gauff stated throughout her on-court interview, earlier than pausing as she started to cry.
Within the first set, Gauff, a 21-year-old from Delray Seashore, double-faulted seven instances and misplaced 4 of her six service video games — together with to path 5-4 after which 6-5. However she broke proper again every of these instances — Vekic took a medical timeout to have her proper shoulder checked out — after which was superior within the tiebreaker.
After that set, Gauff headed to the locker room to splash some water on her face and regain focus.
It labored wonders.
She reset herself, and the second set went far more easily, in entrance a crowd that included star gymnast Simone Biles. Gauff stated she was impressed by seeing Biles was readily available.
Only one double-fault the remainder of the way in which. Zero instances damaged, successful all 4 of her service video games.
Gauff gained the U.S. Open in 2023 as a youngster, then added a second main trophy on the French Open in June. At the newest Slam, Wimbledon, Gauff exited within the first spherical.
Her serving woes resurface occasionally, together with when 19 double-faults contributed to a loss that ended her title protection in New York a yr in the past. She leads the tour with greater than 300 this season — 23 in a single match not way back — and employed biomechanics knowledgeable Gavin MacMillan, credited with rebuilding No. 1-ranked Aryna Sabalenka’s serve, shortly earlier than this U.S. Open.
Within the first spherical, Gauff wanted three units to get previous Ajla Tomljanovic, partially due to double-faults.
However like in that match, Gauff’s protection and superiority on the baseline carried her previous Vekic.
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