Gauff ‘mentally exhausted’ after US Open first-round win

Thursday, 28 August 2025 02:04 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Coco Gauff

Home favourite Coco Gauff came through a stern examination of her troublesome serve to beat Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic in a competitive US Open first-round match.

Third seed Gauff was far from convincing but did enough to win 6-4 6-7 (2-7) 7-5 in almost three hours during Tuesday’s night session at Flushing Meadows.

The 21-year-old American’s serve came under particular scrutiny given the ongoing troubles with her opening shot.

Days before her home Grand Slam, 2023 champion Gauff reshuffled her team – sacking coach Matt Daly and hiring biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan, who helped rival Aryna Sabalenka overcome her serving yips.

“It was a tough match, I had chance to win it in straight sets. It wasn’t the best but I’m happy to get through,” Gauff said.

On attempting to improve the reliability of her serve at a critical time, she added: “It has been really tough – mentally exhausting – but I’m trying.”