Coco Gauff Overcomes Serve Changes to Win US Open First Round

Coco Gauff's Technical Transformation Pays Off in Tense US Open Victory

American tennis sensation Coco Gauff navigated a challenging first-round match at the 2025 US Open, defeating Australia's Ajla Tomljanović 6-4, 6-7(2), 7-5 in a grueling two-and-a-half-hour battle that tested both her newly remodeled serve and her mental fortitude.

Serve Revolution Under New Coach

Just days before the tournament, Gauff made the bold decision to hire biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan to completely overhaul her serve technique. The move came after firing previous coach Matt Daly and represents a dramatic mid-season technical transformation rarely seen in professional tennis.

"This is the match that I needed," Gauff stated in her post-match press conference. "I don't think it can get any more stressful than this."

Strategic Shift from Power to Precision

The new serve strategy focused on control and consistency rather than raw power. Gauff's average first-serve speed dropped significantly from her previous matches, with speeds of 77, 82, 79, and 83 mph flashing on the stadium boards during early games. This represented a conscious shift from her previous approach of attempting 125-mph serves.

Despite 10 double faults, the tactical adjustment proved effective. Gauff gradually increased her serve speed throughout the match, going from an 88-mph average in the first set to 102 mph in the decisive third set.

Tomljanović's Resilience and Strategy

World No. 79 Tomljanović, who had won just two matches in the previous two months, pushed Gauff to the limit. The Australian employed a smart strategy of relentlessly targeting Gauff's forehand and found success in the second-set tiebreak, forcing the match to a deciding third set.

Tomljanović revealed she drew inspiration from her memorable 2022 victory over Serena Williams at the US Open, saying: "Whenever I prepare for big matches, it's a big one that I always just tap into. I always try to go back to the calmness I had back then."

Gauff's Championship Resilience

The 21-year-old American demonstrated the championship qualities that have made her a two-time Grand Slam champion. When serving for the match at 5-4 in the third set, Gauff started with two double faults and was broken. However, she immediately broke back and ultimately closed out the victory with a spectacular running backhand passing shot that left Tomljanović helpless at the net.

The victory sets up Gauff for what promises to be an intriguing US Open campaign as she continues to refine her new service motion under MacMillan's guidance, the same coach who transformed Aryna Sabalenka from a double-fault machine into a world No. 1 player.