Coco Gauff’s first night with her revamped serve at the U.S. Open showed both old strengths and familiar struggles. In a tense, three-set match against Ajla Tomljanović, Gauff held on to win 6-4, 6-7(2), 7-5. The victory relied on grit, athleticism, and mental toughness rather than flawless shots.
Gauff focused on changing her serve under biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan. Instead of relying on pure power, she worked on spin, margin, and consistency. Her previous attempts at 125-mph serves were replaced with safer, twisting balls. The adjustment helped her control the court while minimizing mistakes.
Despite double-faulting 10 times, her first-serve speed gradually improved throughout the match. Early in the first set, her serves averaged 88 mph. By the third set, she had increased it to 102 mph, showing the gradual effect of her new technique. Numbers on the scoreboard—77, 82, 79, 83 mph—highlighted her deliberate focus on control over raw speed.
Tomljanović, ranked No. 79, started strongly. She targeted Gauff’s forehand and took an early break in the first set. However, she could not maintain the pressure. Gauff adjusted her rhythm and returned balls with ease, forcing Tomljanović to play deeper and more precise shots.
The match’s momentum shifted in the second set. Tomljanović found more depth and accuracy, winning the tiebreak to push the match to a deciding third set. She said memories of her previous win over Serena Williams at the U.S. Open in 2022 inspired her calm and focus during critical points.
Gauff’s serve transformation came after she parted ways with coach Matt Daly, who had suggested grip changes. MacMillan, known for helping Aryna Sabalenka reduce double faults and reach the top of the world rankings, guided Gauff’s motion adjustments. Making technical changes during a major tournament is rare, but Gauff aimed to improve long-term performance even if it risked short-term results.
Mental resilience was key for Gauff. She balanced the challenge of playing a strong opponent and retraining her own technique. She compared the process to learning a new language and having to speak it fluently in front of thousands of spectators just days after starting.
The third set was a back-and-forth battle. Gauff broke Tomljanović early, only to be broken herself later. Serving for the match at 5-4, she double-faulted twice and lost the game. When Tomljanović served to lead 6-5, Gauff’s defense and court coverage came into play. She forced another opportunity to serve out the match.
In the final moments, Gauff’s athleticism made the difference. A running backhand passing shot down the line sealed the victory. The crowd erupted in joy and relief as Gauff celebrated her hard-fought win.
“This is the match that I needed,” Gauff said after the match. “I don’t think it can get any more stressful than this.”
Her U.S. Open victory shows the power of combining new techniques with old strengths. With improved serves and steady mental focus, Gauff is building a foundation for long-term success.
