Coco Gauff provided fans with some much-needed reality check before entering Flushing Meadows for this year’s US Open. Although she achieved last year a similar double, and repeated Cincinnati success this time round – something no other tennis player can claim – Coco has not let herself become too confident ahead of Flushing Meadows.
“This doesn’t reflect how I will fare in New York or anywhere else,” Gauff stated during her press conference. “To be completely honest with you, so that doesn’t factor into my decisions at all.”
Although Gauff tempered expectations, her recent performance certainly gives reason for optimism. She captured the Cincinnati title with a commanding 6-2, 6-4 victory over Jessica Pegula, demonstrating clear dominance on the hard courts.
Gauff has shown excellent form throughout the North American hard-court season, having reached the semifinals in Toronto prior to her Cincinnati win. After dropping her opening set to Liudmila Samsonova in Cincinnati’s first round, she rallied to win twelve consecutive sets en route to lifting the trophy. This string of decisive victories is particularly encouraging for a player known for thriving in tough matches.
Her success in lead-up events has historically been a strong indicator of Major triumphs. In 2023, Gauff won both Washington and Cincinnati before capturing the US Open title. Similarly, before clinching the French Open last year, she reached the finals at both the Madrid Open and Italian Open, showing consistency on clay.
Beyond results, Gauff has made noticeable adjustments to her playing style that could enhance her chances in New York. Since Wimbledon, she has incorporated more net approaches and adopted a more aggressive, first-strike mindset, while still relying on her solid defensive baseline game. This blend was evident in Cincinnati, where she took assertive return positions and frequently broke opponents’ serves, including six breaks against Marta Kostyuk in the quarterfinal and five against Pegula in the final.
Although Gauff holds an impressive 20-6 record at the US Open, she had two straight fourth-round exits prior to 2023 championship run due to service problems — particularly double faults — on Flushing Meadow’s fast hard courts. But in Cincinnati she only committed 23 double faults across six matches — or an average of less than four per match!
Gauff is well aware that she must manage expectations ahead of her home Grand Slam tournament; nonetheless, given her current form and recent successes she stands out as a contender at this year’s US Open.