Does do you need to win a match when your service is still a developing job and the crowd expects perfection? ABOUT Coco gafff On Tuesday evening at the Arthur Ashe Stadium, it took sadness, patience and a refusal to give.
The 21-year-old American survived a round meeting of the first round with Ajla Tomljanovic, coming out Aussie 6-4, 6-7 (2), 7-5 in a three-hour scrap that tested her determination. Tomljanovic, who amazed Serena Williams here three years ago on the way to the quarter -finals, seemed ready to ruin another story under Ashe lights. She broke Gauff six times, forced a decisive set and almost silenced the crowd when the third seed collapsed while serving for the match at 5-4.
But gafff was reorganized. She stood in herself, relied on the Faithful Ash and closed the door in the second time of the question. Four aces, ten double mistakes and a difficulty win-not a masterpiece, but a survival story.
“The match was – it’s what it was. I’m used to these long battles,” Guff said afterwards, admitting that her service remains a lot of development. “The week of practice was difficult because I was spending a lot of time in court serving literally until, like, my shoulder was hurting. Yes, it’s just difficult.”
The numbers back, but America insists that she is moving in the right direction with the new coach Gavin Macmillan, the biomechanical specialist who helped Aryna Sabalenka successfully reaffirmed what she served. “For me it is trying not to go back to the old habits in those tighter moments, and I think I did it today, especially in the third set,” she said. “Hopefully this time next year will serve much better.”
For now, there is little time to live. The other test approaches: Donna Vekic of Croatia in the second round.
