Queens, NY— Coco Gauff’s U.S. Open title defense got off to a turbulent start Tuesday night, but the reigning champion dug deep and found a way to move forward.
In a marathon first-round clash at Arthur Ashe Stadium, the No. 3 seed overcame serving woes—including 10 double faults and six service breaks—to edge Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic 6-4, 6-7 (2), 7-5 in just under three hours.
“It wasn’t the best,” Gauff admitted afterward, “but I’m happy to get through.”
This was Gauff’s first match since bringing on biomechanics coach Gavin MacMillan to help repair her much-criticized serve. But the early returns were rocky: she double-faulted in the opening game and looked vulnerable throughout, especially in high-pressure moments. Still, she managed to find answers when it mattered most.
After twice losing a break advantage in the second set and failing to close out the match at 5-4 in the third—thanks in part to consecutive double faults and unforced errors—Gauff showed maturity well beyond her 21 years. She broke Tomljanovic immediately after that slip and then served out the win on her second opportunity.
“I had so many chances,” Gauff said. “I just kept thinking, ‘Eventually, one of these has to go my way.’”
MacMillan, known for helping world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka transform her serve, sat front row in Gauff’s player box, just ahead of her mother. Gauff described their recent training sessions as “mentally exhausting” and “physically intense,” often going until her shoulder ached from repetition.
Still, the hard work appears to be slowly paying off. Despite her continued double faults, there were signs of progress. Gauff’s average first-serve speed climbed from 88 mph in the first set to 101 mph in the third. She even fired a 117 mph bullet and hit a rare second-serve ace.
Her biggest weapon, however, was her athleticism and signature backhand. In the biggest moments, she trusted her footwork and shot-making, finishing the match with a crisp backhand winner down the line. She turned to the crowd, arms raised, feeding off the energy of the Ashe faithful.
Tomljanovic, ranked 79th and most famous for ending Serena Williams’ career at the 2022 U.S. Open, kept the pressure on with her powerful forehand. But Gauff won the majority of their long rallies and showed poise coming forward, taking 12 of 15 points at the net—including a stunning over-the-shoulder volley that electrified the crowd.
“She kept it close, and that puts pressure on you to serve it out,” Tomljanovic said. “Even for someone like Coco, it’s never easy in the first round.”
Tuesday night marked Gauff’s first Grand Slam appearance since a shock first-round exit at Wimbledon in July, a stumble that followed her triumphant run at the French Open.
Now back on home soil, she has a shot at something even bigger. With a deep run at Flushing Meadows, Gauff could surpass both Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka to become the world No. 1 for the first time in her career.
But first, she’ll need to tame her serve—and fast.
