Coco Gauff has, rather cautiously, made her way into the third round of the US Open.
It has been far from convincing, although, in all honesty, it feels like none of the 21-year-old’s wins have been over the last year or so.
With a misfiring forehand and a serve that continues to underperform, every single time she enters the court, she will know that to win it will take an almighty effort.
That kind of exertion would take a toll on anyone, let alone someone so young and with so much riding on her shoulders.
Gauff gave a tearful interview after yesterday’s win over Donna Vekic, prompting widespread support from pundits and fans alike.
Two of the former emerged in the immediate aftermath of that match to laud her undying fighting spirit.
Coco Gauff told what her ‘biggest asset’ is
Speaking live on Sky Sports straight after the win, it was Andrea Petkovic who kick-started the analysis from courtside.
She claimed: “Yeah, very emotional interview by Coco Gauff here and I think she’s the only player that in that state of mind can still win tennis sets and tennis matches, and that’s why she’s a two-time Grand Slam champ here.”
Chanda Rubin then chimed in, highlighting what makes the American so special despite all these technical flaws: “I agree. It is no question her biggest asset. One of her biggest assets and perhaps the most important skill that you can have on a tennis court, and she showed it through again tonight.
“Coco Gauff gets through another match, and she needs it too, especially in that second set, got better, and just stuck in, decided she wasn’t going to miss, used her wheels, her speed around the court. And in the end, a fairly clean match.
“You can look at the numbers for this match, but so much of it was outside of the numbers between the ears, in the heart and Gauff, that’s where she really excelled.
“Served better than her opponent, did everything, just a little bit better, and sometimes that’s all you need to get through an evening like this one.”
Maria Sharapova predicts Coco Gauff to win the US Open
Despite all this upheaval and the pressure on Coco Gauff’s shoulders, many are still expecting her to go all the way.
That is, despite a daunting potential meeting with Naomi Osaka looming in the fourth round.
Maria Sharapova is one such big name who is rooting for the 2023 US Open champion, as she recently stated: “Yeah, I’m always pulling for Coco.
“I watched her US Open victory a couple years ago, and I just think she’s such a great girl and an athlete that has so much to offer. I really hope she has a long career ahead of her.”
