NEW YORK — In a significant turnaround at the U.S. Open, Coco Gauff triumphed without committing a double fault in her opening service game for the first time. Additionally, she maintained her serve right from the start, showcasing a newfound confidence.
With her serve showing remarkable improvement, the No. 3 seed delivered a commanding performance on Saturday, overpowering No. 28 Magdalena Frech from Poland with a score of 6-3, 6-1, propelling her into the fourth round of a tournament she captured in 2023.
“It’s been quite an emotional journey … but those challenging moments have been vital for my growth,” Gauff reflected, anticipating a showdown with four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka or No. 15 Daria Kasatkina on Monday for a chance at the quarterfinals. “I was putting way too much pressure on myself.”
After two grueling night matches at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Gauff started her day with an 11:30 a.m. contest. Under the bright sky and with shade covering half of the blue court, she navigated the match gracefully, avoiding the tears and tension that marked her previous matches.
“Seeing the ball was a bit challenging,” Gauff admitted, “but overall, I’m pleased with how I performed.”
Unlike her earlier matches against Ajla Tomljanovic and Donna Vekic, where she fell behind 2-0, Gauff surged ahead 3-0 against Frech. However, she faced a brief setback with a double fault, bringing Frech to within 3-2, and soon the score was tied at 3 after a competitive 26 minutes.
At that moment, both players were essentially starting anew, making the next game crucial. Gauff held a 40-love lead but found herself at 40-30 after misfiring a forehand.
Fans erupted with encouragement, clapping and shouting to rally her. Gauff noticed the support, gripping a ball with determination. She prepared to serve, releasing a powerful 105 m.p.h. first serve that forced an errant return. With a fierce scream of “Come on!” she celebrated as she regained control.
This momentum pushed her to close the set with a superb three-game run. With her serve previously a challenge, Gauff enlisted the help of biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan, who had assisted Aryna Sabalenka in overcoming serving struggles, leading her to the top of the WTA rankings and three major titles, including last year’s U.S. Open.
However, Gauff’s title defense at the U.S. Open in 2024 ended prematurely in the fourth round, marked by 19 double faults. Struggling in the serving department throughout the season, she hit a low of 23 double faults in one victory in Montreal, followed by 14 more in her next match.
Despite the double fault issues, Gauff’s victories against Tomljanovic and Vekic featured a total of 18 double faults, losing 10 of the games she served. Her success derived from her excellent returning, solid defending, and a clear edge when rallies extended.
These strengths shone again against Frech. Gauff broke her opponent five times and dominated in extended rallies, winning 35 of 51 points. She committed only 18 unforced errors and secured 10 of her 11 opportunities at the net.
Attention centered on Gauff’s serve, which saw marked improvement on Saturday: only four double faults and merely one break. She successfully landed 76 percent of her first serves, averaging 98 m.p.h., with a top speed of 113 m.p.h.
