Kristina Roberts
Coco Gauff’s journey at the US Open began with a match that had everything—nerves, mistakes, tension, and finally, triumph. On Tuesday night, the 21-year-old American star survived a thrilling first-round battle against Australia’s Ajla Tomljanović. The match stretched across three tough sets, with Gauff finally sealing the victory 6-4, 6-7 (7-2), 7-5. It was not a flawless performance, but it was one that showed her determination and fighting spirit.
This was Gauff’s first official match after making a surprising change to her coaching team. Just a few days before the US Open began, she let go of grip specialist Matt Daly and welcomed biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan, a coach well-known for helping players improve their serving technique. For Gauff, whose serve has often been a weakness, this was a bold and risky move. Many wondered how she would adjust so quickly to a new coach on the eve of such an important tournament.
The opening set started shakily for Gauff, who made errors with her serve. Still, she managed to stay calm, breaking Tomljanović at crucial moments to win the set 6-4. It seemed like she had found some control, but the second set told a different story. Gauff took a 4-2 lead, putting herself in a strong position, but Tomljanović refused to give up. With powerful returns and relentless rallies, she fought her way back, eventually forcing a tiebreak. The Australian dominated the tiebreak 7-2, leaving the match tied at one set each.
The third set became a test of mental strength for both players. Interestingly, neither of them could hold serve in the early games. Errors and nerves were clear on both sides, but Gauff managed to push ahead and earn a 3-1 lead. The crowd at Flushing Meadows cheered loudly, sensing that the young star was close to victory. At 5-4, Gauff even had the chance to finish the match on her serve. However, Tomljanović broke her once more, bringing the score to 5-5 and filling the stadium with suspense.
Instead of letting the disappointment overwhelm her, Gauff responded with fresh energy. She broke Tomljanović again and returned to serve for the match, this time determined not to let the opportunity slip. At 40-30, on her very first match point, she ended the contest in style—a strong backhand winner down the line that left the crowd on its feet. It was a moment of release and joy, proof of her resilience even on a night when her serve wobbled.
In her post-match interview, Gauff admitted that it had been a tense battle. “It was a tough match,” she said. “I had chances for it to be straight sets. But Ajla was tough. I felt like she was hitting so many balls back. It wasn’t the best, but I’m happy to get through to the next round.”
She went on to describe the many missed chances she had throughout the match but also her belief that one would eventually go her way. “I had so many chances, I was like eventually they’re gonna come. I had chances to close out in two. I had chances to go up double breaks so many times. So yeah, eventually one of these are gonna go my way. It ended up happening in that game.”
For Gauff, this victory was more than just moving into the second round. It was also a test of her new training under MacMillan. Since winning the French Open earlier in the season, she has experienced a slump, recording only four wins in her last eight matches. She also suffered painful first-round exits, including at Wimbledon. Much of the blame has been placed on her serve, which has produced a huge number of double faults—750 across the last two seasons, according to ESPN. Those numbers are among the highest on the women’s tour, and they highlight why she needed to address this issue urgently.
Gauff hopes that working with MacMillan will bring the same kind of results that Aryna Sabalenka enjoyed. Sabalenka had once struggled with her serve too, even breaking down in tears during matches, before MacMillan’s guidance helped her turn it around. With his coaching, she climbed to the No. 1 ranking in the world. Gauff, currently ranked No. 3, is looking for a similar transformation.
Her next challenge at the US Open will be against Donna Vekić from Croatia, a player known for her aggressive baseline style. That match is expected to be tough as well, but Gauff now has momentum on her side. The first-round win may not have been smooth, but it showed her grit. Matches like these often matter more than easy victories because they prove a player can handle pressure and fight through weaknesses.
For the fans watching, it was a reminder of why Gauff is such a beloved figure in tennis. She doesn’t just win; she wins with emotion, with drama, and with a story that people can connect to. Even when her serve failed her, she did not give up. She showed patience, belief, and the courage to keep trying again. And in the end, she found a way.
The US Open has always been a place where young stars rise under the bright lights of New York. Coco Gauff is no longer just a young talent—she is one of the top players in the world, with a Grand Slam title already to her name. But nights like this remind everyone that she is still learning, still fighting, and still chasing greatness.
As she continues in the tournament, her serve will remain under the microscope. Every double fault will raise eyebrows, every ace will bring cheers. But one thing is clear: Gauff has the heart to keep pushing, and with the right guidance, she may yet turn her serve into a strength rather than a weakness. For now, her first-round victory is proof that she can survive the tough days and still come out on top.
