Connect with us

TENNIS

Gauff working to shore up her serve before the French Open

Published

on

ROME — World No.3 Coco Gauff is feeling good off the ground at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia. The 20-year-old American opened her Rome campaign on Thursday with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Poland’s Magdalena Frech in the second round.

Before the tournament, Gauff was asked what she would consider a successful result over the next two weeks in Rome. Not surprisingly, she zeroed in on her serve, which has been her achilles heel since the clay season began. In her five clay-court matches before Rome, she averaged 9.4 double faults per outing.

“I feel like the other parts of my game are improving in the right direction,” Gauff said. “I feel like that’s the part that if I can work that through, I think it will set me up for a very good Roland Garros.

“Other than that, I feel like I’m returning well, hitting off the ground well. For me, if I can get that part well, I can do well.”

With coaches Brad Gilbert and Jean-Cristophe Faurel, Gauff is working on small technical changes to her serve. As with any technical change, there will be growing pains, which is why Gauff hasn’t panicked.

“Brad came to France with me, so it’s been about a week probably since he’s been here,” Gauff said. “[We’re working on] just being aggressive with the serve, playing higher on the second serve. Just being aggressive overall, more aggressive in general.”

Facing Frech in her Rome opener, Gauff struck 28 winners and 25 unforced errors. Nine of those errors were double faults. Her elite defending held Frech to just 13 winners.

The numbers back up Gauff’s assessment. Off the ground, she has little to worry about. She remains one of the toughest players to hit through, and notching nearly 30 winners in a straight-set win on clay means she’s playing with a more aggressive mindset. That’s precisely what she needs if she hopes to go one better than her run to her first Roland Garros final two years ago.

“I think last week, even though I lost 6-4 in the third, [I hit] like 14 double-faults,” Gauff said. “This is like four or five games.

“I feel if I’m still close in these matches against Maddie [Keys], who is like a top player, I think [if] I just fix that detail, it will save me, and maybe those matches would turn into winning in straight sets instead of losing in three sets.”

CELEBRITY2 weeks ago

After being diagnosed with cancer, Taylor Swift’s mother was seen crying while watching her perform on stage.

CELEBRITY2 weeks ago

Sad News Aline Tamara Moreira Influencers drowned after their overcrowded boat sank following a yacht party, when a wave hit and they had refused to wear life jackets, according to police reports.

CELEBRITY3 weeks ago

Serena Williams said her father deeply hurt her by making the wrong decision to divorce her mother for a side relationship, a choice that ultimately made his life worse.

NFL3 weeks ago

CELEBRITY3 weeks ago

Taylor Swift celebrates her parents for being great role models, saying, “Having supportive parents is truly important for a person’s well-being.”

CELEBRITY3 weeks ago

Taylor Swift says, “I spent millions on a bracelet because it makes my hand look more beautiful.”

CELEBRITY3 weeks ago

Alexis celebrated their daughter’s birthday in a special way,  Serena Williams and her husband, Alexis Ohanian, who hosted a surprise party for their daughter, Olympia.

CELEBRITY3 weeks ago

Prince Harry once again reached out to King Charles with a thoughtful gesture, but he didn’t anticipate his father’s reaction.

CELEBRITY3 weeks ago

Reason why l bought him expensive gift Stevie Nicks says about Travis Kelce, “He’s a man who truly understands women and knows how to make them happy. I cherished him from the first day I met him, which is why I decided to get him an expensive gift.”

CELEBRITY3 weeks ago

Taylor Swift reflects on her early success, saying, “I really enjoyed my youth. By the time I was 12, I had already made millions, and by 14, I was famous around the world.”

CELEBRITY4 weeks ago

Jason Kelce stated that every man deserves a special woman—one who is supportive, loves you, and shows you love.”

CELEBRITY4 weeks ago

Travis Kelce’s ex, Nicole, speaks out again, declaring, ‘I’m still coming back for what’s mine—Travis Kelce is my dream man.'”Taylor Swift should stop wasting time on him 

Copyright © 2024 UKgraph