Coco Gauff continued her impressive form by defeating Tatjana Maria in the second round of the U.S. Open, cruising to a 6-4, 6-0 victory. This win marks Gauff’s ninth consecutive match victory at the venue where she claimed her first Grand Slam title.
The 20-year-old Florida native faced challenges early in the match, particularly with her serving under the bright lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium. Maria, a seasoned 37-year-old from Germany known for her slicing technique, tested Gauff’s resilience. In the first set, Gauff struggled with her serve, recording seven double faults and landing less than half of her first serves. She was forced to save four out of five break points and managed only nine successful points from 17 attempts at the net, accompanied by a troubling ratio of 20 unforced errors to 10 winners.
Gauff’s frustration was visible as she expressed her disappointment through body language, frequently gesturing toward her guest box for support. However, when it came time to serve for the first set, Gauff rallied, saving herself from a potential 5-all score by capitalizing on Maria’s forehand errors.
The second set saw a transformation in Gauff’s performance. She quickly found her rhythm, striking 15 winners compared to just five unforced errors, while excelling at the net with a 10-for-11 success rate.