Gauff's rebuilt serve powers US Open win
Fourth seed Coco Gauff beat Zeynep Sonmez 6-3, 6-4 in the US Open first round, showcasing a serve that was a major weakness just a year ago.
Coco Gauff returned to the US Open with a dominant 6-3, 6-4 victory over Turkey's Zeynep Sonmez on Tuesday. The American's rebuilt serve, once a source of public struggle, was the foundation of her first-round win at Flushing Meadows.
Gauff's opening service game set an immediate tone. She held to love in under 90 seconds, sealing it with a 112mph ace. According to the BBC's report, the world number four won 93% of her first-serve points in the opening set. Her serve speed and accuracy were on full display.
A Drastic Coaching Change
On the eve of last year's US Open, Gauff made a drastic move. She hired biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan to overhaul her troubled serve. MacMillan had previously helped Aryna Sabalenka overcome similar issues. Gauff told the BBC the decision felt unavoidable after a high number of double faults at the preceding Cincinnati Open. "Obviously last year I knew all the eyes were going to be on the serve," Gauff said. Tweaking her technique just before her home Grand Slam was a major risk. It resulted in a fraught, tearful fourth-round exit.
The Mechanics of Improvement
Gauff's work with MacMillan focused on key technical adjustments. The changes included creating greater consistency on her ball toss, not throwing the ball too far in front, and keeping her wrist straighter. The goal was a more reliable motion. The improvements were evident earlier this month when Gauff won the Cincinnati Open title. Analysis from that tournament showed she was hitting serves closer to the lines while maintaining her power.
A Psychological Shift
The technical work has led to a complete psychological shift. Gauff said her mindset is now aggressive rather than hopeful. "Psychologically, I'm now going to go for the ace, or I know I can hit the serve and the return is probably not going to come back," she explained. She contrasted this with last year's approach: "Last year I literally was like I hope I make it in." This new confidence was tested in the second set against Sonmez. After Sonmez leveled at 2-2 and earned three break points for a 4-2 lead, Gauff held firm. She saved the game with a precise ace out wide and a 115mph unreturned first serve.
Securing the Victory
That gutsy hold allowed Gauff to break immediately for a 4-3 lead. She closed out the match with another commanding service game. Gauff fired three unreturned first serves, each just under 120mph, to set up three match points. She converted the first after a short rally. The fourth seed will next face the winner of the match between Spain's Paula Badosa and Australia's Daria Kasatkina. Reflecting on her progress, Gauff said, "Now it's like I can look back a year on and think, 'Oh, wow, it's a big difference'."
