New York, Aug 27 (AP) - Coco Gauff's return to the court at the U.S. Open after tweaking her serving technique began with a few hiccups but ultimately ended in triumph. Despite serving 10 double faults and being broken six times, Gauff, the No. 3 seed, emerged victorious over Ajla Tomljanovic with a scoreline of 6-4, 6-7 (2), 7-5, progressing to the second round at Flushing Meadows. “It wasn't the best,” Gauff admitted, “but I'm happy to get through.” Each step was a challenge. Gauff twice led by a break in the second set but couldn’t close it out. At 5-3 in the third set, she was on the verge of victory, but a pair of successive double faults and missed forehands led to a 5-all tie. Yet, resilience defined her play. Instead of faltering, Gauff composed herself, broke back immediately, and served out the match on her next opportunity, concluding nearly three hours after starting the contest. She believed persistence would pay off, stating, “I had so many chances… I was just like, Eventually, one of these is going to go my way.” Gauff, who claimed her maiden Grand Slam during the 2023 U.S. Open, sought the expertise of Gavin MacMillan, a biomechanics expert notable for aiding current world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka with her serve. Seated in front of Gauff's mother in her guest box, MacMillan provided support as she tackled her serving conundrums. “Practices with him have been challenging and mentally exhausting,” Gauff shared. Her Achilles' heel throughout the season has been double-faults. Entering the U.S. Open, she led the women's tour with 320 double faults—over 100 more than any other player. Recent appearances included infamous 23 and 14 double-fault matches. As she adjusted her service motion on Tuesday, Gauff began cautiously, serving slower than her potential. Her initial serves clocked at an average of 88 mph in the first set; this escalated to 97 mph in the second and 101 mph in the third, once Ashe Stadium's roof closed. She unleashed a 117 mph serve along with a second-serve ace. Ultimately, her victory over the 79th-ranked Australian Tomljanovic, known for defeating Serena Williams at the 2022 U.S. Open, stemmed from Gauff's exceptional court movement and formidable backhand. Appropriately, a down-the-line backhand sealed the match, and Gauff celebrated animatedly, rallying the crowd. Despite Tomljanovic's robust forehand, Gauff often emerged on top in their baseline duels. Her ventures to the net proved fruitful, with 12 out of 15 net points won, including a spectacular leaping, over-the-shoulder volley in the third set. This match marked Gauff's return to Grand Slam action since her unexpected first-round exit at Wimbledon in July, following her French Open championship in June. With her progress at Flushing Meadows, Gauff could potentially surpass Sabalenka and No. 2 Iga Swiatek to claim the top ranking for the first time. (AP) TAP
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