After fighting off first-match jitters, young American Coco Gauff displayed a solid first performance in Melbourne on January 15 as she flew past Anna Karolina Schmiedlova 6-3, 6-0 in just 60 minutes. Gauff advanced to a Round 2 match of the 2024 Australian Open on January 17 against Caroline Dolehide.
In her post-match interview, Gauff, who won her first Grand Slam at the 2023 U.S. Open, said she “was a little nervous the first set. I think I’m always nervous in the first round of slams.”
Gauff did not let nervousness stop her. Tied at 3-3 in the first set, Gauff went on to win the next eight games in a row. To calm down, Gauff said she told herself, “I feel good, I look good, so just have fun.”
✅ Feeling good
✅ Looking good
Coco Gauff Gained the First Set Advantage
After getting an early break on Schmiedlova’s serve, Gauff used the momentum to keep her advantage throughout the rest of the match.
Gauff’s return of serve proved to be crucial in this match, as she broke Schmiedlova’s serve every game in the first set.
“I think I did well returning, and then I found my serve toward the end in the second set,” Gauff said.
The difference in Gauff’s serve from the first set to the second set was significant. Schmiedlova broke Gauff’s serve three times in the first set, but Gauff held serve every game in the second set.
8️⃣ straight games to finish!
@CocoGauff eases past Schmiedlova 6-3 6-0 to reach the second round.
#AusOpen • #AO2024
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Gauff Closed Out Her Match Having Fun, Playing Free & Serving Aggressively
Gauff came out playing aggressive and free in her second set. She gained a 1-0 lead on Schmiedlova by hitting off her front foot and looking to attack.
In her pre-event press conference, Gauff said she had recently been working on making adjustments to her serve with new coach Brad Gilbert. “It was just to make the toss more consistent. Instead of throwing from so low to start up higher to make the toss more consistent,” Gauff said. “It only took me, like, two days—maybe three—to get really comfortable with it.”
According to Tennis Magazine, Gilbert brought in his former tennis student and International Tennis Hall of Famer Andy Roddick to help make changes to the tennis teen’s serve. Gilbert coached Roddick when he was Gauff’s age and felt he would be the right person to look at her serve and help simplify her motion.
“I coached Andy at a young age. He’s got an amazing serve. And I was thinking, ‘What a great person to take a look at Coco’s serve,'” Gilbert said on ESPN, according to Tennis 365. “It’s kind of full circle. When I coached Andy, I was his age now. Andy was like Coco’s age. It was a great two days. Really helped things out, simplified Coco’s motion, abbreviated a little bit.”
Coco Gauff worked with @andyroddick on her serve in the off-season.
The results of that are on display now 🎯
@cocogauff • #AusOpen • #AO2024
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These adjustments to Gauff’s serve proved to be an asset to her in the second set. Carrying over the aggressive mentality of the first game, Gauff served Schmiedlova 2 aces in a row to hold serve and give her a 2-0 lead.
It wasn’t long before Gauff took a 5-0 lead against Schmiedlova and served for the match. Gauff utilized her signature baseline play and serve plus one to close out the match.
In just 60 minutes, Gauff won her first match of the 2024 Australian Open.
What’s Next for Gauff?
Gauff will take on fellow American Caroline Dolehide in the second round. The date and time are to be determined.
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Australian Open: Coco Gauff Shares Her Secrets to Victory